The commenter supports transparent independent HHS research and a moratorium on exposure expansion, while…

I very much support HHS's involvement in studying (including reviewing published independent non-conflict of interest studies) the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), radiofrequency (RF) radiation, and wireless radiation on human health (particularly children and other vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women) and the environment (animals, plants, etc), given that it has the expertise in medicine, biology, epidemiology, and public health that the FCC does not. These studies should also include long-term consequences and cumulative exposure, and should not include any conflict of interest industry input. Also, I believe that whatever studies the HHS does, should be transparent so that independent, non-conflict of interest scientists can replicate them. And once HHS has completed their studies, analysis, etc., the necessary protections to public health and the environment should be implemented. Herein, I will refer to the 3 areas the HHS will be studying as electromagnetic radiation, although I am aware that the more correct phrase would be non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. I am responding from the perspective of a concerned member of the public. The FCC has been negligent in this area – 1) touting its 1996 guidelines used to determine the safety limits of exposure to electromagnetic radiation, even though there have been massive increases in the levels of electromagnetic radiation since then, due to advances in the technology; 2) relying on studies done in the 1980's (on animals) which focused only on the thermal factors affecting health, and not on the effects on cells, DNA, and possibly other factors, that could affect human and animal health; 3) ignoring for 5 years, a court order to update their 1996 guidelines to the current date; 4) ignoring the voluminous independent, non-conflict of interest studies that clearly show a DNA, etc. harm to human health and the environment. Based on just these 4 listings of negligence, it is clear to me that the FCC is more concerned about the interests of the industry than the health of the public and the environment, and therefore we need the HHS to take the lead on this. I do not have a story of the health effects of electromagnetic radiation on myself, and no one I know has expressed any of these issues. However, in the last 5 years, I have listened to, and read articles by, independent non-conflict of interest scientists that say that my body (cells, DNA, etc) may be continuously affected without my awareness and eventually lead to a symptom or illness. Also I am aware that citizens have reported becoming very ill from electromagnetic radiation and strongly believe that it would be very beneficial for HHS, in its investigations/studies of the harmful effects of this radiation, to listen to the stories of these ill people. Also, I am aware that parents have reported their concerns about the growing presence of wireless devices and screen-based technology in schools. Therefore, based on the above, I am very concerned about the health and environmental impacts from the following: 1) cell towers going up at an accelerated pace, many in areas that already have sufficient broadband access, such as my community; 2) the smart meter on the side of my garage; 3) the increases from 5G to 6G and further, which will increase the electromagnetic radiation we are subject to; 4) the small cell towers that they will need to put on properties every 700 or so ft. in order to accommodate the 5G or up cell phones; 5) my wifi router, which sits right next to my desktop computer. On the legislative front, I am appalled that the 1996 Telecommunications Act, in Section 704, does not allow local authorities, representing its citizens, to deny cell tower infrastructure on the basis of health and environment. I am sure that was done because they knew that health and environment would be the biggest effect of the increased electromagnetic radiation. Also, I wasn't happy that the US Congress recently, in a proposed bill (HR2289) that was defeated, attempted to take away all local governments' authority with regard to cell phone infrastructure. And of course, the industry captured FCC was parroting that bill with their own proposed regulations, which also were dropped for now. So to conclude, since Congress and the FCC are clearly captured by the telecommunications industry, and therefore more concerned with the interests of the industry than the health of the public and the environment, we need HHS to step in and reverse that course. And while HHS is doing this, there should be a moratorium on any expansion of electromagnetic radiation in our communities. Thank you for the opportunity to provide my comments to you. Janice