Smart meters

Thank you, HHS Leadership, for the opportunity to share my personal perspective regarding Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I believe that I experience significant adverse effects from these technologies. My symptoms include headaches, skin and body pain as shooting, tingling, and burning sensations, and low level general anxiety that feels unnatural to me. Identifying the specific source is sometimes difficult, as exposure may come from the smartphone, smartwatch, laptop, tablet, Wi-Fi router, smart meter, cell tower, or other wireless infrastructure. At times it is obvious, like when I send an email from the phone and a burning sensation occurs in the hand holding the phone after I hit "send". These experiences are difficult to discuss with medical professionals, friends, and family because the prevailing assumption is that wireless technologies are harmless. I ask HHS to take seriously the distress people report, even when the causes remain uncertain. My home's smart meter, located outside the kitchen, is a great concern. While in that area I sometimes experience what feels like painful pulses or beams emanating from its vicinity. I also observe distressing patterns of emotional tension occurring in this location, more than normal for a family kitchen. I recognize that these observations do not establish causation, but I believe they warrant objective investigation rather than dismissal. I am undergoing medically supervised chelation for heavy metals in an attempt to find relief, at considerable expense and without a clear solution. The financial burden is unsustainable. I need accessible, evidence-based medical guidance that investigates potential causes rather than a mystery. During recent travel, I used an eSIM that restricted my phone to 4G connectivity. I experienced no anxiety for two weeks, until I returned to the mesh networks of the United States. This observation does not prove that 5G or any particular frequency caused my symptoms, but it raises a question I believe deserves investigation: Could different wireless technologies, exposure patterns, or environmental conditions affect some individuals differently? I believe we must reconsider the widespread implementation of technology which results in Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I think it might be a greater threat to our world than previously understood. I worry for my global neighbors and all our children as many cannot feel the disturbing emanations from their tech devices. I realize we are very far down this Tech road and pivoting away is, sadly yet probably, impossible. However, Consumers should have meaningful options to select lower-exposure technologies, including access to 4G-only connectivity when technically possible. Public installations across cities should be shielded to protect the citizens and nature. Scientific research warrants continued investigation. The U.S. National Toxicology Program reported evidence of certain tumors in animals exposed to high levels of RF radiation: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/research/topics/cellphones. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified RF electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans: https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Research into environmental impacts identifies substantial evidence gaps concerning wildlife and plants, including reproduction, development, behavior, and growth: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13750-023-00304-3#citeas. Please review the information and concerns compiled by the Cellular Phone Task Force: https://cellularphonetaskforce.org/. These findings do not prove that wireless exposures cause the symptoms I experience, but they underscore the need for rigorous, independent research. I respectfully request that HHS engage several areas of actions immediately: 1. Support independent research into EMF/RF exposure and reported health effects, including symptoms in people who report sensitivity. 2. Investigate possible environmental effects on wildlife, pollinators, plants, biodiversity, and ecosystems. 3. Review existing exposure standards in light of emerging evidence, long-term exposure, vulnerable populations, and new technologies. 4. Promote transparent exposure information, accessible medical evaluation, and practical exposure-reduction options for concerned individuals. 5. Ensure that research is methodologically rigorous, publicly accessible, and free from inappropriate commercial influence. I also ask that my experience and that of others be investigated fairly, that scientific uncertainties be addressed openly, and that the public have meaningful choices while research continues. Thank you for your attention to and care for public health, scientific integrity, and the protection of all life.

October 22, 2026 The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 United States From: Gin Chen Taipei, Taiwan Email: Shineginv@pm.me Subject: Report of Recurring Health Symptoms Associated with Strong Environmental Exposure Dear Secretary Kennedy, I am writing to report a pattern of health symptoms that I experience repeatedly when I am in environments with strong exposure, particularly strong electromagnetic fields. These symptoms are serious enough to affect my daily life and work. I hope your department can provide guidance, relevant research, or direct me to the appropriate agency. I have been following the issue of smart meters closely because my home in Taipei, Taiwan recently received a notice from Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) that our electricity meter will be replaced with a smart meter between September 15 and November 15, 2026. Given the symptoms described below, I am concerned that a smart meter transmitting wireless signals at my home could make them worse. I have submitted a petition to Taipower asking it to postpone the installation and offer a non-transmitting alternative. English translations of my petition and supporting materials are attached. When I am in such environments, I experience the following symptoms: • Severe headaches and migraines, which sometimes last for more than a full day. • Chest discomfort and shortness of breath, including a feeling that I cannot breathe properly. • Cognitive difficulties, including trouble concentrating, brain fog, and noticeably worse memory. • Skin and facial sensations, including heat, tingling, burning, redness, and a numb or “electric shock”-like feeling. • Emotional changes, including anxiety, irritability, and depressive tendencies. • Physical weakness and fatigue, with a marked increase in overall tiredness and a feeling of weakness throughout my whole body. These symptoms tend to appear or worsen during exposure and can persist for a long time afterward. They have affected my mood, my ability to concentrate at work, and my general quality of life. I respectfully request that your department: 1. 2. 3. Share any current research, guidelines, or official positions on health effects associated with strong electromagnetic or other environmental exposure. Advise whether there are recognized medical evaluations or specialists for people who experience symptoms like mine. Refer my letter to the appropriate agency or office if this matter falls under another department’s responsibility. Letter to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Page 1 I would be grateful for any information or guidance you can provide. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, Taipei, Taiwan Shineginv@pm.me

I am father to two daughters that exhibit high sensitivity and adverse reactions to emf exposure, specifically cell phone, cell tower, and wifi router radiation. I am grateful that the HHS has invited public comment on this issue. As a high school physics teacher for over 30 years, I was at first slow to believe that wireless radiation could cause non-thermal biological effects in humans. The alarming symptoms experienced by my daughters, however, challenged my assumptions. I spent over $1000 on various meters so I could take my own measurements. I understand that there has been a lot of scientific research on this subject and that many studies conclude there are no harmful effects from cell phones or cell towers. My own experience and that of my family convinces me that this conclusion is false. Microwave radiation can definitely have serious effects on some people. In order to protect my family from wireless radiation harms we moved out of Chicago and now live in a semi-rural area on 2 acres. We use only wired internet devices in the home. We have no wifi router or bluetooth devices. The average microwave density in our home is now under 1.0 microwatt per square meter as measured by a Safe and Sound Pro II RF meter (see attached image). In contrast, the level in the high school where I teach averages 4.6, and in the eldercare facility where my son works around 18 𝜇W/m2. (See attached images) My eldest daughter began showing symptoms during her junior year at public high school in Chicago. When in the school building, which had a high density of wifi routers installed throughout, she would gradually feel more and more ill with nausea, brain fog, weakness, and bloody noses. These symptoms quickly abated when she left the building. Her high school counselor discounted her complaints and suggested she seek psychotherapy. She tried toughing it out, wanting to finish her high school diploma, but the continued high exposure only made her sensitivity increase. Eventually she had to withdraw and complete her diploma as a homeschooler. Meanwhile, my second daughter also began exhibiting similar symptoms. She was already being homeschooled but very active in Chicago community extra curricular activities – theater groups, art classes, park district programs, and martial arts. Sadly, because of adverse reactions to the radiation exposure in these facilities, she had to withdraw from these activities one by one. Similar to her sister, her reactions to RF include brain fog, fatigue, loss of speech, joint pain, and heart irregularities. While the move out of Chicago and the removal of sources of RF from our home was a necessary and effective remedy for my daughters, their lives are severely limited. High levels of RF, over 100 𝜇W/m2, are now becoming ubiquitous. My daughters must carefully limit time spent in stores, urban centers, medical facilities, even church and peoples homes. In person higher education is not possible for them. Radiation free employment is extremely difficult to find. Surviving emf sensitivity is not only logistically difficult but also expensive. In order to avoid the radiation from a smart meter, which emits intense short pulses of emf energy, I have to pay the electrical company a “manual read fee” of $115.77 each month. (See attached electrical bill) This adds up to nearly $1400 per year, a ridiculously unfair penalty. Another source of emf radiation which my daughters react to are LED lightbulbs. These devices produce what is known as “dirty electricity” in the home circuits. It is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to purchase incandescent lightbulbs. The current federal rules prohibiting the manufacture and sale of incandescent bulbs needs to be repealed. I am very concerned for the future. If the spread of high radiation levels continues at the current pace, opportunities for a healthy life for people like my daughters will shrink ever smaller. I urge the HHS to take seriously the potential harms of RF radiation and pursue more independent research on this important issue.

I am an individual, a consumer and a patient. I am affected by Wi-Fi, wireless infrastructure, mobile phones, smart meters, wearable devices, and occupational equipment. I have developed chronic pain, chronic infections/illnesses, fatigue, reactivated EBV, terrible sleep issues, tingling/numbness, tinnitus, lack of or no interest in many things I once enjoyed and other issues. I along with everyone else, is constantly bombarded with electromagnetic waves penetrating our bodies. This comes from all sources as stated above, but let's start with Wi-Fi Infrastructure. I moved into a vertical condo tower after leaving my house from toxic mold. We thought this structure made of glass, steel and concrete would be safe, but it was a Wi-Fi only structure, and this was several years prior to Covid 2020. I thought the Wi-Fi only was strange but learned that new builds were this way. When Covid hit and many businesses were closed or with limited service, 5G cell phone towers were installed, and mostly in the cover of the night. There were 1297 towers and antennas within a 3 mile radius of my street address, and 8 of these under one (1) mile. And this is not including all the Wi-Fi within the vertical building but was at the time I moved from this place because I became so ill. I had to leave a home, again. At the present time, my new place of residence 377 towers and antennas but the structures are built basically on top of one another. It has It has been said, but not published, that Wi-Fi amplifies mold and mycotoxins by 600 times. I believe this. I had a blood mycotoxin test performed in late 2024 and it was red on each type. Wi-Fi is everywhere. The residence is not safe, even with safeguards. At any given time, you can see multiple listings of neighbors Wi-Fi, which could be accessible, with their passcode, inside of my residence. This not only creates health issues with the bombardment of radiation, but it also appears to me to be an Invasion of my Privacy. Now add in the Smart Meters and the mysterious health issues.... When did a private company have the right to establish this and destroy our health? and demand that the meters can't be removed? The constant scanning from the meter to a place far away creates another level of radiation that is higher than established and acceptable levels by EPA. I attempted a wearable watch which would track heart rate and other measurements as I have experiences with racing heart and palpitations. It caused burning and strange vibrations, so now I do not wear any watch. Home sleep studies are basically impossible since most of Wi-Fi based. There are many people who suffer who do not know what is causing their symptoms and their physicians are baffled and usually dismissed as being normal, with nothing wrong. Occupational equipment and mobile phones are an issue as well. Computers, Wi-Fi printers, bluetooth and remote working all creates another level of havoc when people are constantly utilizing these items. Dirty electricity and high frequency light bulbs and LEDs are also problematic when mixed into this scenario and also by themselves. I did seek medical treatment and it is continuous. And I am thankful for this, but I should not be out of pocket monies for the destruction of my health by a private company, and others which help push these agendas. We should all have safety and these items are anything BUT safe. We moved from our residence in the vertical tower and have experienced some improvement but still bombarded by constant Wi-Fi radiation which cannot be controlled. The effects are lingering and it is unknown if returning to a point of past will ever be achieved. One used to be able to go into nature to "get away" but even now, you find these ugly Wi-Fi towers and routers everywhere. And the children. They have no chance with all of these items especially during their development phases.

I have EMF and RF sensitivity that cause me crippling fatigue, head pressure, tinnitus that is unbearable at times, and severe brain fog. Since moving across the street from a 5G tower, my quality of life has been deteriorating and I am continuing to get sicker. The symptoms have intensified since a smart meter was installed in my apartment several months ago. This is no way to live.

According to the National Institute of Health, there are severe, adverse, long-term biological effects with exposure to non-native EMF's. “The Invisible Rainbow” by Arthur Firstenburg also details, to a great extent, the exposures that other portions of the world (Germany, Asia, etc.) have already, under scientific study, diagnosed physiological effects as neurasthenia. I have had adverse biological effects due to long-term exposure to my Tesla Model Y 2022. I am highly concerned and angered by the fact that Tesla is allowed to -not inform customers of the hazardous effects their vehicles have on human life -subject people to high amounts of EMF radiation/poisoning -no recourse is present for customers whom have purchased it and later learned that health conditions they have developed are directly due to exposure -or, not allowed Tesla owners to rescind lease agreements and place the burden on Tesla for the purchase of the vehicle, after finding out after purchase the hazardous, biological affects of the vehicle. Non-native EMF's, such as those poured out like a mobile microwave that a Tesla is, directly affect human bodies and can be measured by a Geiger Counter. The magnetism count for the Tesla vehicle when utilizing the Geiger Counter is off the charts, and I spent the first two years (myself and my daughter) charging inside this vehicle and being exposed to high-concentrated amounts of radiation in the driver seat, in any seat as there are wi-fi/electrical sensors in the seating, the middle console, the battery itself, the steering wheel. What’s more, is any cell towers in nearby areas ping and increase the radiation exposure to an individual. I have healthy blood panel readings, but have observed the hair in my genital areas turning gray, and no other areas on my body graying. The hair on my head is not gray. I sit in my vehicle for long periods of time. Over the summer when I did not drive as much, it turned back to the original color. Tesla is subjecting young children and pregnant mothers with the equivalent of microwave radiation and no consumer warning is provided. Another area of concern, electric companies charge consumers, such as FPL, a cost for opting out of smart meters and placing an undue financial burden on customers who choose to opt into a healthier option. Similarly, local cities such as the City of Daytona Beach forces customers to change their standard meter to a smart meter, which gets pinged at the Giga.hertz level and affects biological health in the area and unstructures the water. I made several requests to opt out and was told I wasn’t allowed to. This is a deep concern for homeowners that local governments will not provide alternative options for limiting their exposure to emf poisioning. EMF radiation opens the voltage-gated channels of the cell to allow calcium to pour in. This country needs to implement significant updates to the general policies and understanding of citizens to also include medical doctor’s. For example, my daughter’s dental office forces me to sign paperwork that indicates language, “Refusal of Diagnostic Dental Radiographs…” and states that I am subjecting my child to potential diseases by refusing X-ray exposure. Children with developing brains/bodies are more susceptible to the hazardous effects of emf radiation, and for doctor’s to indicate refusing consistent x-rays is hazardous to their health is absurd.

As a mom it is so difficult to accept that this unknown and unnecessary risk is in all day cares and preschools from radio cordless devices to routers in classrooms right near kids work areas they are radiated all day. May be research shows it won't harm but what if it does? We parents have no knowledge or choice when it comes to school. And it's starting earlier and earlier. Even a baby in day care is exposed and we are forced to accept. Also our homes are exposed and our baby's crib is near smart meters energy and water companies install in our homes with no choice for us.

I happen to be a person who is affected by wireless radiation. When my 36 year old cousin was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma back in 2012 I fell into researching why a disease previously known in older males would suddenly show up in a young mother of two. One hypothetical that was proposed was RF. My cousin had worn a RF headset at her job and the tumor was on the radiating side. So as a young mother myself I chose to (out of an overabundance of caution) limit my family's exposure to cellular, wifi and blutooth in our home. If you've known and loved a person with glioblastoma- you'd do the same. It literally ruined that family- financially, emotionally, in every way possible. My family has gone without RF (and have chosen homes that naturally block neighbors RF signals and cell towers) since then. Nothing fancy really, just being cautious. Oddly enough, or maybe because I spend so much time avoiding it, I am now symptomatic to BT and wifi. It takes several hours of exposure but there have been times when water, electrolytes, and sleep don't touch a headache and inevitably I'll pull out my RF meter just to double check that a device hasn't reset itself and is unknowingly pulsing somewhere in the house. And a surprising amount of time that is just what has happened. We turn it off and the headache resolves. I'm absolutely bewildered by my ability to sense it. Unfortunately, my father this last year also passed from a Glioblastoma. A cell tower was placed across the street from their home several years ago and his bedroom window was in direct line of sight of the antennas. While the neurologist assured us there is no 'genetic' marker (outside of very rare populations) for brain cancers running in families, I can't help but wonder with my sensitivity and two family members passing if we will stumble upon evidence for one in a couple years. Some sign that we are particularly susceptible to the non native wavelengths around us. My big ask here in commenting is two part: 1) Encourage doctors/epidemiologsts to look for the patterns in families and take note of possible RF sources and 2) Give those of us who are sensitive easy ways to protect ourselves from RF: mandate or encourage simple On/off switches for RF on appliances, thermostats, mini splits, car stereo systems, security cameras, etc; encourage/enforce options for opting out of smart meters or encourage posting smart meters off the home/ not near bedrooms with utility companies; Give us accurate tools for locating cell towers and antennas (For example- antenna search dot com shows where the tower is registered (an address), not located. For the tower my father slept across from it says it is a mile away at the HOA building). If a family hoping to avoid living near a tower only looked at the website they would not know there was a tower there unless they had an RF meter. Please give enough credence to the possibility that there is 'possibly something going on here' that medical professionals don't immediately think we're nuts (and therefore driving people into the hands of the medical conmen who 'believe' them). I think what I ask is relatively simple and does not impede those who do want to partake in RF. I'm just asking that those of us who do want to avoid it at least have the ability and option of safeguarding our homes and families. Thank you.

I am extremely concerned about EMF RF and wireless radiation exposure. Due to my EHS medical diagnosis, the "Smart" meters have been removed from my home and replaced with "opt out" meters. I requested this measure be taken because a no/low EMF environment is essential for my health. I have a medical statement, and this condition (EHS) is a federally recognized disability. Because of this necessary action taken to preserve my health, I have incurred a $100 installation fee and continue to pay a $30 monthly charge. Additionally, "opt out" meters such as mine increase my energy bills because they are powered by electricity, unlike the analog meter (which uses no electricity to monitor usage). I strongly oppose being required to pay the recurring monthly opt out fee of $30. This amounts to financial discrimination against me because of my medical condition/disability. Furthermore, we as Ohioans are being unfairly treated when compared to those in states such as Indiana and North Carolina where customers can avoid an opt out fee if they call in their monthly readings (IN) or have a medical statement (NC). I have written to numerous legislators requesting the elimination of the monthly opt out fee in order to foster financially equitable treatment of all Duke Energy customers. I encouraged them to work to follow the precedent set by other states and allow Ohioans the same waiver as those in states such as Indiana and North Carolina. I have asked that Senator Husted introduce utility meter choice legislation at the federal level.  Children's Health Defense (CHD) has an ongoing online campaign which provides more details on what he can do.   https://childrenshealthdefense.org/community-forum/support-utility-meter-choice/

I have experienced clear, reproducible adverse effects from RF, electric, and magnetic fields for over 10 years. For the past five years I have been able to document these effects with simultaneous RF measurements.One of the clearest examples occurred when our Starlink router automatically reset after an update and re-enabled its Wi-Fi radios (we normally run it on Ethernet only). Both my partner and I independently noticed increased irritability, poor sleep, heart palpitations, and inflammation. We did not initially realize the settings had changed. When we measured with a Safe and Sound Pro II meter (200 MHz–8 GHz), we found substantially elevated RF levels. Returning the router to Ethernet-only mode eliminated the symptoms. This sequence has repeated multiple times. Because the exposure change was objective, measurable, and unknown to us at the time symptoms appeared, it strongly indicates the effects are physiological rather than purely psychological.A similar pattern occurred when our HOA installed a public Wi-Fi network with a bridge antenna directed toward our home. The same cluster of symptoms returned. Temporary aluminum SCIF-grade shielding between us and the source reduced symptoms; subsequent deactivation of the device produced further improvement that correlated with a clear drop in measured RF levels. In our experience, levels above approximately 10 mW/m² produce noticeable symptoms.The symptoms themselves are not minor: heart palpitations, disrupted sleep, irritability, depression, increased anger, light-headedness, and reduced immune resilience. These meaningfully degrade quality of life. I am particularly concerned about people who experience these effects without knowing the cause. Persistent, unexplained physical discomfort of this type can contribute to severe distress and, in some individuals, elevated risk of suicidal ideation. This is a form of environmental exposure that is difficult to escape without specialized knowledge and resources that many people lack.Mechanistically, the work of Dr. Martin Pall provides a coherent, experimentally supported pathway. Non-thermal RF fields can activate voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Excess intracellular calcium then drives increased nitric oxide and peroxynitrite formation, generating oxidative stress capable of damaging DNA and disrupting normal cellular signaling. This mechanism is documented in the peer-reviewed literature (Pall, J Cell Mol Med, 2013; PMID 23802593) and is consistent with the broader body of studies showing oxidative stress and related biological changes at non-thermal exposure levels.RF is not the only relevant source. Wiring errors can produce elevated magnetic fields associated in some epidemiological literature with long-term cancer risk. High electric fields from unshielded wiring commonly disrupt sleep and can produce tinnitus-like symptoms. Many people report that properly grounded shielding (creating a low-field environment) produces a subjective sense of calm and “quiet.” Dirty electricity—high-frequency voltage transients from smart meters, solar inverters, and other switching devices—is another reported contributor; some individuals note symptom improvement after installation of whole-house filters.I urge attention to sources that individuals cannot readily control: smart meters, cellular infrastructure, and radar systems. These can affect entire buildings, schools, and communities. I also encourage coordination with cellular carriers, utilities, and relevant government contractors to reduce population-level exposures where feasible.Looking ahead, SpaceX and others are developing space-based direct-to-cell services. Frequency selection matters biologically; 2.4 GHz, for example, coincides with a resonant range used in microwave ovens and is known to interact strongly with biological systems. It would be valuable for government agencies to evaluate whether certain frequency bands produce measurably lower (or even negligible) biological disruption compared with currently dominant bands, especially for systems that irradiate large ground areas from above.In summary, a decade of personal observation, repeated objective measurements correlating with symptoms, and the existing scientific literature leave me convinced that current ambient EMF exposures produce adverse biological effects in at least a subset of the population. Reducing the most pervasive uncontrolled sources, improving public education on practical mitigation, identifying particularly susceptible groups, and incorporating biological considerations into spectrum and infrastructure decisions would meaningfully improve population health and well-being. Key resources EMF-Portal database: https://www.emf-portal.org/en Research summaries compiled by Dr. Henry Lai / SaferEMR: https://www.saferemr.com/