ORIGINAL COMMENT · UNEDITED TEXT
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 am responding as a parent, individual consumer, and concerned resident of the North Houston, Texas, area. I do not have one specific diagnosed health event to report. My concern is the rapidly increasing, involuntary, and continuous nature of RF/EMF exposure in our communities—and the possibility of negative health effects developing over years of cumulative exposure.
Our area has recently experienced the installation of thousands of new utility poles, along with additional cell extenders, small-cell equipment, and towers. Families are being surrounded by wireless infrastructure without meaningful notice, informed consent, health monitoring, or practical ways to avoid or reduce their exposure.
I am especially troubled that cell towers have been placed at local fire stations. Firefighters already face significant occupational exposures from smoke, combustion byproducts, contaminated protective equipment, diesel exhaust, disrupted sleep, and chronic stress. They should not be subjected to another continuous environmental exposure where they work, eat, sleep, and recover.
However, my concern is not limited to towers at fire stations. I want the cell towers, cell extenders, and small-cell equipment throughout our North Houston communities removed—not simply relocated from fire stations to another neighborhood. Moving this infrastructure closer to another family, school, childcare facility, workplace, or public space does not resolve the underlying concern.
Reliable communication service is important, but I do not want perfect wireless coverage when it may come at the expense of our health. Faster speeds and uninterrupted connectivity should not automatically take priority over the well-being of children, families, first responders, and communities.
Children are of particular concern because they are exposed from very young ages and may experience this exposure throughout their lives. Wireless signals now come from many sources simultaneously, including towers, small cells, Wi-Fi routers, phones, tablets, wearable devices, smart meters, appliances, vehicles, schools, and neighboring homes. Our bodies and nervous systems are given little meaningful break from this constant background exposure.
I urge HHS to investigate potential negative health effects associated with long-term and cumulative RF/EMF exposure, including possible effects on sleep, neurological and autonomic nervous-system function, cognition, behavior, headaches, reproductive health, immune function, development, and cancer risk. The absence of an immediate or easily identifiable symptom should not be treated as proof that continuous lifetime exposure is harmless.
Research and safety evaluations must reflect real-world conditions—not one device or frequency tested in isolation. Studies should examine continuous lifetime exposure, simultaneous exposure from multiple sources, pulsed and modulated signals, potential non-thermal biological effects, exposure during pregnancy and childhood, occupational exposure among firefighters, antenna density, and cumulative neighborhood exposure.
This research should be conducted by independent experts in medicine, neurology, biology, epidemiology, pediatrics, reproductive health, occupational health, and public health, with strong safeguards against industry conflicts of interest.
I am asking federal, state, and local authorities to stop further expansion of wireless towers and small-cell infrastructure in our communities and establish a process for removing the equipment already installed. Communities deserve clear disclosure, exposure measurements, meaningful authority over infrastructure placement, and access to safer wired alternatives.
Technology should serve people without requiring constant and unavoidable exposure. We should not have to choose between participating in modern society and protecting our families’ health. Please place long-term human health ahead of convenience and ever-increasing wireless coverage.