{"id":"HHS-OASH-2026-0397-5835","number":"5835","name":"Katie Singer","organization":"","posted":"2026-10-28T04:00Z","received":"2026-10-19T04:00Z","body":"\nFirst, thank you for opening doors to this discussion. \n\nIn 2014, Rudolf Steiner Books published my book, An Electronic Silent Spring. It cited 200+ peer-reviewed studies about the biological effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by wireless devices and telecom infrastructure. First person accounts related to these studies. It reported the 1996 Telecom Act’s Section 704; the FCC’s definition of “harmful interference” (interference with existing broadcasts—NOT biology; FCC’s 2013 reclassifying the outer ear as an extremity so that mobile devices near it are allowed a Specific Absorption Rate of 4.0 W/kg, higher than the 1.6 W/kg allowed for non-extremities such as the head. Solutions included Whitney North Seymour’s amendment to Section 704. \n\nDr. Gary Olhoeft advised me. He taught electrical engineering and geophysics at Colorado School of Mines for decades. In 2009, he got a deep brain stimulator (DBS) to ease his Parkinson’s symptoms—and experienced significant interference between his DBS and EMR-emitting devices. \n\nAbout 10% of Americans have a medical implant. Fewer than 0.5% of these devices have been tested in rigorous clinical trials. “Implantable Material and Device Regulation” Sept. 2021, Vol. 23, No. 9; E667-756, AMA Journal of Ethics. https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/sites/joedb/files/2021-08/joe-2109_2.pdf \n\nHow do EMR emissions from mobile phones, laptops, iPods, cellular antennas, smart utility meters, Wi-Fi, e-vehicles and transformers affect medical implants (deep brain stimulators, cardiac pacemakers, orthopedic devices, cochlear implants, continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps) and people with implants? \nHere are a few related studies: \nImplanted medical devices in workers exposed to radio-frequency radiation (B. Hocking, 1991). How exposure to EMR may increase heat load and/or produce signal interference to orthopedic devices, cardiac pacemakers and cochlear implants. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2047801/ \n\nA review of radiofrequency-induced heating challenge caused to medical implants during MRI procedures. AS Afolabi, 2025. J. of Eelctrical Systems and Information Technology. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s43067-025-00264-3 \n\nNeurostimulators and Radiation Therapy: Is there any risk? H. Rida, 2025. Discusses safety guidelines in patients undergoing radiation therapy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1879850024002790 \n\nAmerican Heart Association’s post about devices that may interfere with defibrilators and pacemakers. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention--treatment-of-arrhythmia/devices-that-may-interfere-with-icds-and-pacemakers \n\nElectromagnetic interference can lead a pacemaker to misread the heart’s beats. Prolonged or intense EMI can damage the pacemaker’s circuitry. https://forhearts.org/pacemakers-and-electromagnetic-interference-what-you-need-to-know/ \n\nI attach my book, its chapter 6 and testimony from Dr. Olhoeft and a woman with Type 1 diabetes. \n\nIn creating discussion about the effects of EMR exposure, what are your goals? While everyone lives with laws that make environment (and health) considerations illegal, landlines are being eliminated, and more cell towers, smart meters, chromebooks and e-vehicles are deployed we need education about living with EMR exposure. We need to learn and respect nature’s cycles and to care for ourselves in EMR-saturated environments. We need forums that welcome questions; statutes that respect biological impacts; and opt-outs. \n\n\n","attachments":["https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-5835/attachment_3.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-5835/attachment_2.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-5835/attachment_1.pdf"],"attachment_inventory":true,"withheld":false,"source":"https://www.regulations.gov/comment/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-5835","tags":["health-experiences","biology-metabolism","exposure-places","policy-standards","research-evidence"],"source_hash":"903b32eb11a8155f75487adb1253e9fc5b69c6ab0bc7e04a0a6fec523112f406","slug":"health-experiences-comment-5835","classification":{"id":"HHS-OASH-2026-0397-5835","body_sha256":"dcaba66a4926dcfc515f665196c9e142c828f3b88ba23d39b15d8426705d51fe","status":"ai_reviewed","primary_topic":"cardiac","topics":[{"id":"cardiac","evidence":"ct medical implants (deep brain stimulators, cardiac pacemakers, orthopedic devices, cochlear implants, continuous glucose monit"},{"id":"section-704","evidence":" studies. It reported the 1996 Telecom Act’s Section 704; the FCC’s definition of “harmful interference” (interference wi"},{"id":"research","evidence":", An Electronic Silent Spring. It cited 200+ peer-reviewed studies about the biological effects of exposure to electromagnetic radi"},{"id":"standards","evidence":"ents. We need forums that welcome questions; statutes that respect biological impacts; and opt-outs."},{"id":"optical","evidence":"ronment (and health) considerations illegal, landlines are being eliminated, and more cell towers, smart meters, chromebooks and e-vehicles "}],"summary":"The commenter draws on a book and cited research to raise concerns about interference with implanted medical devices, discusses Section 704 and exposure rules, and requests education, responsive statutes and opt-outs.","reviewed_at":"2026-10-28T16:50:58Z","review_method":"Full comment-text review with exact source evidence; attachments not reviewed","review_source_sha256":"79dc129e4f44d1d9211d45b6c412add64e3a1a23c8b94ca2c785ea1d3b2f9bda","source_url":"https://rfsafe.net/hhs-comments/data/catalog.json","scope":"Original comment body; attachments excluded"},"forum_topics":["cardiac","section-704","research","standards","optical"],"primary_topic":"cardiac","forum_title":"The commenter draws on a book and cited research to raise concerns about interference with implanted medi…"}