A teacher describes migraines and autoimmune illness, requests independent research into susceptibility a…

I am a 51-year-old public school educator living with chronic autoimmune illness. I am submitting this comment because I believe the potential health consequences of prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and radiofrequency (RF) radiation deserve serious, independent scientific investigation, particularly among individuals with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. I experience chronic inflammation, migraines, fatigue, and episodes of significant physical malaise. Over the years, I have observed that some of my most severe symptoms appear to coincide with environments containing extensive wireless infrastructure. In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, new 5G cellular towers were installed in my area. During this period, I began experiencing frightening physical symptoms while traveling along interstate highways. On multiple occasions, I experienced episodes of apparent loss of consciousness while riding as a passenger. I also experienced painful bladder spasms that seemed to occur when traveling near certain cellular towers. These experiences became so debilitating that I struggled to travel on interstate highways. I purchased a silver-infused garment marketed for electromagnetic shielding and began wearing a Q-Link pendant, which I continue to wear daily. My career as a public school teacher raises additional concerns about occupational exposure and children’s health. Today’s classrooms are saturated with wireless technology. In my school, every student has a chromebook, and each classroom contains two enormous interactive smartboards. Wireless networks operate continuously throughout the school day, with dozens of devices communicating simultaneously. I experience migraines, inflammation, fatigue, and general malaise that interfere with my ability to function comfortably throughout the school day. Teachers spend approximately seven to eight hours daily in these environments, often for decades. Children spend much of their developmental years surrounded by wireless infrastructure. I question whether sufficient independent, long-term research has examined the cumulative effects of these exposures, particularly among individuals with existing inflammatory, neurological, or autoimmune conditions. I respectfully request that HHS prioritize the following areas of investigation: 1. Autoimmune and inflammatory responses: Investigate whether chronic RF exposure influences inflammatory pathways, immune regulation, oxidative stress, or symptom severity in individuals with autoimmune disease. 2. Neurological and autonomic symptoms: Examine reported associations between environmental RF exposure and migraines, dizziness, loss of consciousness, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, and other neurological or autonomic disturbances. 3. Individual susceptibility: Investigate whether certain populations, including individuals with chronic illness, experience different physiological responses to environmental electromagnetic exposure. 4. Cumulative exposure in schools: Conduct independent assessments of RF exposure in classrooms containing numerous student devices, wireless access points, and interactive smartboards. Evaluate both actual exposure levels and long-term health outcomes. 5. Existing safety standards: Reevaluate whether current RF exposure guidelines adequately address chronic exposure, evolving wireless technologies, and potential biological effects beyond established thermal mechanisms. 6. Exposure reduction: Investigate practical strategies for reducing unnecessary wireless emissions in educational settings, including wired connections and alternatives to continuous wireless connectivity. 7. Research integrity: Ensure that studies are independently funded, transparently conducted, and designed to investigate potential risks without predetermined conclusions. I recognize that personal observations do not establish scientific causation and that existing research has not consistently demonstrated that symptoms attributed to electromagnetic exposure are caused by RF radiation. Yet, the symptoms are real, and individuals reporting them deserve serious medical attention and rigorous scientific investigation. The absence of conclusive evidence of harm should not be treated as proof that every potential long-term health consequence has been adequately investigated. As an educator, I am particularly concerned about the widespread adoption of wireless technologies in schools without sufficiently examining possible consequences for vulnerable students and employees. I'm not advocating the abandonment of technology, but for responsible research, transparency, appropriate precaution, and informed public policy. People living with chronic illnesses should not have to choose between participating fully in society and protecting their health. Our technological capabilities should never advance faster than our willingness to investigate their potential consequences.