Wi-Fi & indoor exposure

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/

My general practitioner noted my reactions on my General Practice Summary in 2012 after asking me to keep a diary for him for over a year. I am sure that, from all the studies and evidence gathered by independent bodies that we are all affected, but some of us are noticeably physically affected and this is very restricting on life style. Tests that my general practitioner had carried out, for the symptoms, showed no other reason for the nose bleeds, heart-rate changes, rashes; pains about my body and head; fatigue; nausea/digestive reactions among other symptoms particularly when in the vicinity of masts or mobile phones. The rashes especially from ankles up to knee can occur after riding on electric buses. They can last for up to a week and I find I need to refrain from riding on electric buses or being near Wi-Fi for up to that time as I feel unwell along with the rashes. If I ride on a longer journey on an electric bus with all the mobile phones of passengers and the chargers, or short journeys 2 days running I am unwell with symptoms of heart rate changes, disorientation, nausea/digestive issues, fatigue and others afterwards or the following day that cease if I remain at home without Wi-Fi. My life has been restricted since I had to give up my job several years ago because of the debilitating symptoms working with Wi-Fi. I am affected by all electricity, but can work on a wired computer for up to one hour without debilitating symptoms. I can have no Wi-Fi in the house. This, of course, has affected my husband, too, with living with me and my ability to live a normal family life with my daughter and family. She has Wi-Fi in her house and I can only stay for a short time and can’t visit her too often. She is aware, but uses a smart phone and I need to sit away in the conservatory when I visit her, but I still get symptoms afterwards. Walking helps me to feel grounded and more well Two examples of experiences that were in the diary kept for my doctor are: The first was when I was walking to visit my Father. I was with my husband and we were chatting and walking through a hedge-lined lane about 2 miles from my home when suddenly all my energy started to drain from my body and I felt scared because I thought I was going to fall. My husband caught me to support me. I said to him, ‘I can’t understand it because I was feeling fine until now’. He replied ‘There is a mast just around the corner.’ There was a z bend in the lane so this was not visible from where we were with the high hedges. I replied, ‘I didn’t know that, show me where’ He said, ‘It is disguised as a tree.’ He continued, ‘I will help you to get past it and see if you feel better when we put some distance between us and the mast.’ We did so and as we walked further from the mast, my energy returned and I felt my strength return to finish the walk to see my father. The second example is: When we changed broadband providers, a new router was sent to us. My husband spoke to the company and asked if it could be wired not Wi-Fi, explaining why. The company assistant said it could be either and my husband said it must be wired as my wife is badly affected by Wi-Fi. My husband set it up when it arrived, but I didn’t know as I was out at the time. On returning, I went to use the computer. I was only working on it for about ten minutes when I started to feel quite ill – nauseous, dizzy, foggy in the head and disorientated. I felt frightened and anxious, so I told my husband. I said to him that I was going into the garden to see if I felt better and I did. I thought it could be the weather as I always felt slightly unwell before a storm, but this was much worse. I came back to my computer to carry on working, but this time I was only on it for a few minutes before the awful symptoms returned. I said to my husband that it must be something in the room. I indicated that I was going for a shower to see if that helped me. While I was in the shower, my husband called to me at the door saying that he thought he knew what the problem was – the new router. He said he had looked into it and he needed to go on to the Internet to de-activate the Wi-Fi. He said he would do that and when I came out of the shower, I could see if it was better. I went back to my computer again and I was on it for an hour and I was fine. I ask the FCC to carefully evaluate experiences of people like me and the scientific evidence that there is plenty of, but I cannot spend any longer on the computer even though wired to send in evidence. Please identify gaps in current research, give particular attention to the young and other potentially vulnerable people. Please establish appropriate federal research priorities regarding wireless radiation and public health.

Those suffering from Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) receive no accommodations though it is very disabling. Every effort by HHS should be made to involve those federal agencies who can promote the much needed accommodations EHS persons need. There are motels with handicapped rooms. EHS persons cannot travel because sleep away from wifi radiation is not available. Schools are the most difficult of all for children forcing them into home school alone.

On Christmas Day, 1991 I had my first encounter with radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. My 2 yr old handed me a present-it was a flip phone.  When I made my first call, the energy vibrated up my arm & my head. My body had a strong, visceral reaction.  The moment's captured on video, so you can see my unplanned reaction. When I asked others how they could hold their phone to their ear while it zapped them, I realized I was an outlier. I started to connect my symptoms and use of the phone: extreme headaches, numbness, tingling, insomnia, anxiety-palpitations & brain fog.  When WiFi arrived it became extremely clear; WiFi nearby made me feel so unwell, it had to be turned off if I was within 50 ft. What began as a personal quest became a professional mission. For the past two decades, I have focused on public awareness & education in the area of digital wellness. Through websites, published articles, video content & public speaking engagements, I have informed audiences on the realities of how technology is affecting us and how to stay safer and healthier with it. I’ve had to build my whole life around accommodating the functional impairment of electrohypersensitivity (EHS). I don’t live close to cell towers. I don’t have a WiFi in my home, I have a wired ethernet connection. My home has a metal roof. I use RF-EMF blocking material, including a sleep canopy, and more. I drive a 2010 car with no wireless & use a EMF blocking cocoon wrap when exposure is unavoidable. Not everyone has this luxury. Not everyone knows they’re reacting. I’ve consulted hundreds of people who cannot break leases or move when they encountered the negative effects of RF-EMF. Many feel constantly surrounded by EMF without any relief from debilitating pain. The land of the free often presents as a prison for those who are most sensitive to EMF. My lived experience with EHS, is why I urge immediate consideration & protection for all sensitive groups, including children, people with chronic illness & people with EHS.  The reality is, even if someone does not physically feel the effects of EMF, that doesn’t mean they aren’t impacted at a biological level. In fact, there are already hundreds of peer-reviewed studies that link EMF to other negative biological effects like cancer, autism, thyroid nodules, insomnia, infertility. These scoping studies cannot be ignored (links below): The US National Toxicology Program claims on its Government site: Clear evidence of association with heart tumors male rats and some evidence of brain, and adrenal tumors. A 2025 review commissioned by WHO found Man-Made Wireless EMF Radiation causes Brain Cancer and Heart Cancer.  The evidence from 52 studies was assessed. The certainty of the evidence for an"increased risk of glioma or brain cancer, was judged as high.” The ICBE-EMF review revealed current safety limits for wireless EMF are severely inadequate to protect public health. Wydaeghe et. al. simulation of the FCC’s Maximum Permissible Exposure showed that in the worst-case scenario, a 6 year old boy can absorb wireless energy from a typical cellphone tower that is 45% more than the current FCC limits actually allow. Simulated 5G towers found exposure could reach 158% of the limits. Chokeli et.al looked at genotoxic biomarkers in children that had cell towers 100 to 400 meters from their schools. The closer they were the more biomarkers related to DNA damage and cancer, the kids had. A recent study published in Cureus Journal of Medical Science found significant associations between levels of wireless radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure in the home and child development. I hear the same comment repeatedly from my community, “My kids don’t sleep well when the WiFi is on.” A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study points to the same conclusion: participants reported poorer sleep when exposed to radiation from a wireless baby monitor as compared to a “sham.” While more research is helpful, we already have more than enough convicting studies. Therefore the federal priorities at this point must employ risk management measures relying on current research, enacting laws to protect our youngest and most sensitive Americans while further studies are take place. As a mother with an adorable grandson, I often think, “Why does France care more about the effects of RF-EMF on children than my country does?”  For over a decade, children under 3 in France have been guaranteed a pre-school without the impact of WiFi.  For kids 3 to 11, parents are assured that the WiFi will remain off when it’s not used for digital education. Law #2015-136 also says any public establishment in France that has WiFi must clearly signal its presence.   An amazingly effective first step would be to pass a law like France’s. Imagine happier kids, more present teachers. This basic protection for kids is literally the least we can do. 

My husband and I started having health issues when we moved into our home 14 years ago. I was able to figure out that I am sensitive to RF radiation because whenever I would enter buildings that had Wifi I would either have extreme anxiety or significant heart issues. My husband often gets extreme pain when driving the car too long or being on the computer too long and these are due to the magnetic fields. We have recently found out that there is a very strong electric field in our yard and neighbor's yards and we found this out by using a body voltage meter. It can be as high as 6 volts outside and also in our bedroom. I have been sleeping on the couch for years because I feel awful when sleeping in the bedroom. I felt great when the power went out (due to a storm) for 4 days. It was wonderful! Even with our main circuit breaker panel turned completely off the body voltage meter levels are too high signifying an electric field outside our home. We have to look for other housing despite me having to go on disability and my husband being 70 years old. The electric field must be due to either the power lines outside or some other electric current we haven't been able to figure out. We feel bad every day and this whole ordeal has been a nightmare. I feel that the high electric fields caused us to sensitive to other fields like RF and magnetic.

I’m negatively affected by emfs, rf and wifi signals. It causes me to have rapid heart rate, palpitations, brain fog, insomnia and headaches. There needs to be some serious investigations and restrictions put in place, especially for sake of our children. They are extremely vulnerable to negative consequences to their growing bodies and brains. Investigate smart meters too. Those are horrible for everyone’s health and safety.

Nous sommes une association de scientifiques aidant les personnes électro-hypersensibles souffrant dans les champs électromagnétiques de micro-ondes pulsées. Parmi celles-ci, il y a des personnes qui sont de véritables détecteurs d'ondes, qui les ressentent dans les mains et dans tout le corps. Le doute n'existe plus : ces micro-ondes pulsées entrent en interférence avec la micro-électricité des corps animaux (l'homme faisant partie des animaux) et aussi des végétaux. De nombreuses personnes ont des certificats médicaux attestant les perturbations cérébrales dans ces expositions (encéphaloscans, échodoppler pulsé), et des perturbations métaboliques prouvées par des analyses de sang et d'urine. Les troupeaux de bovins, de caprins, tous les animaux souffrent dans ces expositions. Les arbres aussi car ils ne peuvent pas bouger et c'est pire pour eux. Nous avons parmi nous une personne dont l'électro-hypersensibilité a été acquise génétiquement et qui est un véritable appareil de mesures. Dès qu'il n'y a plus d'exposition aux ondes toxiques, les troubles s'arrêtent. Nous avons vu une personne âgée faire un accident cérébral dans des ondes Wifi. Une autre une crise d'épilepsie.

1. & 2. I am responding as: 3a. Type of wireless or RF/EMF sources involved (e.g., mobile phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters…)mobile phones, wi-fi, cell towers 3b. Nature, duration, frequency, and approximate timing (e.g., years):12 years 3c. Adverse health effect(s) experienced:tinnitus, fog in the head 3d. Time from first exposure to first appearance of adverse health effects; and did a change in exposure coincide with the onset of adverse effects:1.5 yers 3e. Was medical evaluation or treatment sought? (Optionally:) Was there a diagnosis?no 3f. Were steps taken to reduce or eliminate exposure, and were there subsequent changes in the effects?2G cell phone by ecxeption, wi-fi on if guests ask it 3g. Any supporting documentation? This includes Scientific Reports, exposure measurements, or other relevant information: Additional Details you would like to share about your experiences of adverse health effects you believe to be associated with exposure to wireless radiation or EMF's: B1a. Sources you experience as causing you Adverse Effects:smart phones, wi-fi, 5G cell tower B1b. Sources you can sense, but don't seem to harm you:occasionally 2G cell phone B1c. Sources you can use without sensing or being harmed: B1d. Sources that seem to provide benefit (i.e., electrotherapy):earthing B2a. Health conditions you think may contribute to your sensitivity to EMFs including wireless:seekness, tired, B2b. Health conditions you don't necessarily associate with your sensitivity to EMFs including wireless, but might be relevant:influence of parasites in the body B3. For each subquestion please list up to 5 drugs or therapies or home remedies (if any) B3a. That you recommend, as they helped you tolerate or recover from EMF exposure:eliminate high frequency radiation in the house en ban LED lights B3b. That you recommend, but you’re not positive that they help: B3c. That helped you but you don’t recommend. (e.g., the benefit did not last long or the side effects were too harmful): B3d. Treatments that had no effect: B3e. Treatments that made your sensitivity worse:75+ B4. What is your age range?75+ B5. What year did you become aware of your sensitivity to wireless radiation or electromagnetic fields?2014 B6. What country, state, province, or major city were you living in when you first noticed your sensitivity to wireless or electromagnetic fields?Belgium

I am writing this in response to HHS’s Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. My name is Carol Franks and I live in the UK. I am responding as an individual who suffers debilitating symptoms with exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I am sure that, from all the studies and evidence gathered by independent bodies that we are all affected, but some of us are noticeably physically affected and this is very restricting on life style. Tests that my general practitioner had carried out, for the symptoms, showed no other reason for the nose bleeds, heart-rate changes, rashes; pains about my body and head; fatigue; nausea/digestive reactions among other symptoms particularly when in the vicinity of masts or mobile phones. The rashes especially from ankles up to knee can occur after riding on electric buses. They can last for up to a week and I find I need to refrain from riding on electric buses or being near Wi-Fi for up to that time as I feel unwell along with the rashes. If I ride on a longer journey on an electric bus with all the mobile phones of passengers or short journeys 2 days running I am unwell with symptoms of nausea and digestive issues the following day that cease if I remain at home without Wi-Fi. My life has been restricted since I had to give up my job several years ago because of the debilitating symptoms working with Wi-Fi. I am affected by all electricity, but can be on a wired computer for up to one hour without debilitating symptoms. I can have no Wi-Fi in the house. This, of course, has affected my husband, too, with living with me and my ability to live a normal family life with my daughter and family. She has Wi-Fi in her house and I can only stay for a short time and can’t visit her too often. She is aware, but uses a smart phone and I need to sit away in the conservatory when I visit her, but I still get symptoms afterwards. Two examples of experiences that were in the diary kept for my doctor are: The first was when I was walking to visit my Father. I was with my husband and we were chatting and walking through a hedge-lined lane about 2 miles from my home when suddenly all my energy started to drain from my body and I felt scared because I thought I was going to fall. My husband caught me to support me. I said to him, ‘I can’t understand it because I was feeling fine until now’. He replied ‘There is a mast just around the corner.’ There was a z bend in the lane so this was not visible from where we were with the high hedges. I replied, ‘I didn’t know that, show me where’ He said, ‘It is disguised as a tree.’ He continued, ‘I will help you to get past it and see if you feel better when we put some distance between us and the mast.’ We did so and as we walked further from the mast, my energy returned and I felt my strength return to finish the walk to see my father. The second example is: When we changed broadband providers, a new router was sent to us. My husband spoke to the company and asked if it could be wired not Wi-Fi, explaining why. The company assistant said it could be either and my husband said it must be wired as my wife is badly affected by Wi-Fi. My husband set it up when it arrived, but I didn’t know as I was out at the time. On returning, I went to use the computer. I was only working on it for about ten minutes when I started to feel quite ill – nauseous, dizzy, foggy in the head and disorientated. I felt frightened and anxious, so I told my husband. I said to him that I was going into the garden to see if I felt better and I did. I thought it could be the weather as I always felt slightly unwell before a storm, but this was much worse. I came back to my computer to carry on working, but this time I was only on it for a few minutes before the awful symptoms returned. I said to my husband that it must be something in the room. I indicated that I was going for a shower to see if that helped me. While I was in the shower, my husband called to me at the door saying that he thought he knew what the problem was – the new router. He said he had looked into it and he needed to go on to the Internet to de-activate the Wi-Fi. He said he would do that and when I came out of the shower, I could see if it was better. I went back to my computer again and I was on it for an hour and I was fine. I ask HHS to carefully evaluate experiences of people like me and the scientific evidence; identify gaps in current research, give particular attention to the young and other potentially vulnerable people. Please establish appropriate federal research priorities regarding wireless radiation and public health. Thank you for reading my response.

1. & 2. I am responding as: an individual 3a. Type of wireless or RF/EMF sources involved (e.g., mobile phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters…)Mobile phone 3b. Nature, duration, frequency, and approximate timing (e.g., years):Domestic WiFi and the mobile phone radiation. Every day for the last 10 years, several times a day. 3c. Adverse health effect(s) experienced:Multiple Systems Atrophy. Including - Difficulty walking and talking. Difficulty swallowing and frequent choking. Nightmares. Mood instability. 3d. Time from first exposure to first appearance of adverse health effects; and did a change in exposure coincide with the onset of adverse effects:Immediately on first use. 3e. Was medical evaluation or treatment sought? (Optionally:) Was there a diagnosis?Yes but it came after the symptoms had advanced. Diagnosis of multiple systems atrophy (MSA-C). 3f. Were steps taken to reduce or eliminate exposure, and were there subsequent changes in the effects?We tried to limit the exposure but it was difficult to do because I depend on the phone for communication. 3g. Any supporting documentation? This includes Scientific Reports, exposure measurements, or other relevant information: Additional Details you would like to share about your experiences of adverse health effects you believe to be associated with exposure to wireless radiation or EMF's:I am severely limited in what I can do, and I am dependent on my wife for most of the functions of daily life. This places a heavy load on her and her health is suffering a great deal. B1a. Sources you experience as causing you Adverse Effects:WiFi and mobile phone signals B1b. Sources you can sense, but don't seem to harm you:RF (eg remotes) B1c. Sources you can use without sensing or being harmed:Domestic wiring B1d. Sources that seem to provide benefit (i.e., electrotherapy): B2a. Health conditions you think may contribute to your sensitivity to EMFs including wireless:Multiple Systems Atrophy B2b. Health conditions you don't necessarily associate with your sensitivity to EMFs including wireless, but might be relevant: B3. For each subquestion please list up to 5 drugs or therapies or home remedies (if any) B3a. That you recommend, as they helped you tolerate or recover from EMF exposure:Exercise, fresh air B3b. That you recommend, but you’re not positive that they help: B3c. That helped you but you don’t recommend. (e.g., the benefit did not last long or the side effects were too harmful): B3d. Treatments that had no effect: B3e. Treatments that made your sensitivity worse:75+ B4. What is your age range?75+ B5. What year did you become aware of your sensitivity to wireless radiation or electromagnetic fields?2015² B6. What country, state, province, or major city were you living in when you first noticed your sensitivity to wireless or electromagnetic fields?Wales, UK