A dentist attributes a disabling illness and interruption of doctoral study to wireless exposure, reports…

Public Comment Regarding Electromagnetic Fields, Radiofrequency Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure I am submitting this comment in response to HHS’s Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I write as a healthcare professional, a Doctor of Dental Surgery, and a patient who experienced a severe, debilitating illness that I attribute to wireless radiation exposure. In 2020, I developed extreme fatigue, significant hair loss that occurred in clumps, skin rashes, joint pain, profound difficulty sleeping, and severe upper respiratory and breathing problems. These symptoms were unlike anything I had previously experienced. The illness disrupted nearly every aspect of my life and became so disabling that I was forced to withdraw from the second doctoral program I was pursuing. Although I was not hospitalized, laboratory testing revealed a markedly elevated D-dimer level. My physician subsequently told me that the result warranted evaluation in an emergency department. I believe the seriousness of my condition was not adequately recognized at the time. I did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine. I have photographs and laboratory records documenting the symptoms and medical findings associated with this period. Recovery took nearly a year. During that time, I purchased a shielding-fabric enclosure for my bed to reduce exposure while sleeping and arranged for wired connections in my home to minimize reliance on wireless technology. I also substantially reduced my cell phone use and other sources of exposure. In my experience, these changes were an important part of my recovery and have helped me avoid another similarly debilitating episode. Even after recovering from the acute illness, I continued to experience sensations of heat and burning when using a cell phone for approximately another year. I still occasionally experience burning and buzzing sensations in my skin, particularly near large 5G installations. The consequences were profound: loss of health, interruption of my education, significant changes to my home and daily activities, and fear of recurrence. I believe my illness placed my life at risk. I have also encountered patients who report similar symptoms and experiences. Their accounts, and mine, deserve serious investigation, careful documentation, and a meaningful response. I strongly support HHS taking an active and accountable role in examining the potential health and environmental effects of wireless radiation. Questions affecting human health must be addressed by federal agencies with appropriate expertise in medicine, biology, epidemiology, and public health. The experiences of individuals and families who report being affected must be considered alongside the scientific evidence and treated as a meaningful source of information for further investigation. I urge HHS to rigorously evaluate these experiences and the available scientific evidence, identify gaps in current research, and examine whether existing exposure standards adequately address present-day conditions. This review should specifically consider cumulative exposure, multiple simultaneous sources, prolonged exposure in homes and schools, and the experiences of individuals reporting heightened sensitivity. Children and other potentially vulnerable populations require particular attention. Potential effects on animals and the environment also warrant investigation. HHS should establish clear federal research priorities, support independent studies, and publicly communicate its findings and remaining uncertainties. In my view, continued expansion of wireless infrastructure should be paused where adequate safety evidence is lacking, pending a thorough, independent assessment. Individuals should not have to experience disabling illness before their concerns receive meaningful federal attention. I ask HHS to respond with the urgency, transparency, and diligence this issue demands. Please investigate these reports, address deficiencies in research and oversight, and take appropriate action to protect public health. Thank you for providing individuals, families, healthcare providers, researchers, and scientists an opportunity to be heard on this critical public health issue. Kristen Graham, DDS