{"id":"HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6942","number":"6942","name":"Helen Hess","organization":"","posted":"2026-10-28T04:00Z","received":"2026-10-20T04:00Z","body":"Declaration of Helen Hess. \nHelen Hess declares under penalty of perjury as follows:\n\n1. I reside in Boulder, CO USA\n\n2. I did not consent, nor do I consent today, to the continuous, involuntary exposure to biologically active radio frequency (RF) radiation.\n\n3. I experience strong negative health effects as a result of time spent in environments with strong RF radiation, often from Wifi routers, cell phones, Smart meters and/or nearby cell towers and antennas. These effects include cognitive impairment and mental confusion, short-term memory loss, speech aphasia, sleep dysfunction, facial flushing, skin rashes, and heart arrhythmia. The severity of my symptoms depend on the intensity and duration of the RF exposure. \n\n4. I have been aware of the risks of RF radiation since 2012, when I began doing research on the subject, including the mechanisms for harm from non-ionizing radiation. My symptoms abate when I'm able to stop the exposure; therefore, I have not needed to seek a medical diagnosis or treatment. The causation and remedy are both very clear.\n\n5. In order to minimize exposure, I strictly avoid the use of RF-producing devices inside my home, have had an opt-out electric meter installed, and have put RF shielding around the new gas meter that was installed with no opt-out offered. However, the continuing increase of RF-producing devices in my neighborhood, such as the recently installed LED street lights, mesh network Smart meter roll-out, and new small-cell poles scheduled for installation, may eventually make it impossible for me to stay in my home of 43 years.\n\n6. The damaging effects of RF have drastically limited my ability to participate in normal society; modes of travel, cultural events, stores, public buildings, private homes etc. can all be difficult to navigate. My concerns and requests for accommodation are often met with incredulity, derision and dismissal.  \n\n7. Most people rely on the government and manufacturers to keep them safe and informed, and they believe it when they are told there's no danger. As a result they generally do not make the connection when their health suffers due to RF exposure, and they seek help from medical professionals who likely know little about it. More education and transparency are sorely needed.  \n\n8. I commend HHS for soliciting this information and testimony from the public, and hope it results in more stringent RF limits and regulations that better protect both people and the environment.  \n\nI declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.\nOctober 20, 2026\nHelen Hess\n","attachments":["https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6942/attachment_2.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6942/attachment_1.pdf"],"attachment_inventory":true,"withheld":false,"source":"https://www.regulations.gov/comment/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6942","tags":["health-experiences","sleep-cognition","exposure-places","policy-standards","research-evidence"],"source_hash":"b8d6ffe14ba220f6b33f1ec3135809926b0906b64ef1daa96f3fef84e1ab9927","slug":"health-experiences-comment-6942","classification":null,"forum_topics":["awaiting-review"],"primary_topic":"awaiting-review","forum_title":"Declaration of Helen Hess. Helen Hess declares under penalty of perjury as follows: 1. I reside in Boulde…"}