HHS Under RFK Jr. Launches Public Review of EMF and Wireless Radiation Health Effects

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) on September 17, 2026, seeking public and expert input on the potential health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), radiofrequency (RF) radiation, and wireless technologies. The move aligns with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s long-standing interest in the topic and the administration's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) strategy.

The RFI, published in the Federal Register with comments due by October 21, 2026, invites submissions of peer-reviewed studies, government reports, industry data, clinical observations, and personal accounts of health effects linked to exposures from cell phones, Wi-Fi, 5G/6G, smart meters, wearables, IoT devices, and other sources. It specifically highlights concerns for children, schools, long-term cumulative exposure, and vulnerable populations.

This builds on a 2021 U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in Environmental Health Trust v. FCC, which found the agency's 1996 wireless radiation limits inadequately reviewed for non-cancer effects. Children's Health Defense, formerly led by Kennedy, has pursued related litigation. HHS plans to incorporate the feedback into a report slated for release this fall.

Contextually, the effort follows earlier 2026 reports of HHS reviewing cell phone radiation research gaps and FDA adjustments to prior safety statements. Critics note the scientific consensus from bodies like the WHO finds no established causal links to cancer or other illnesses at typical exposure levels, while proponents argue for updated standards amid expanding wireless infrastructure. The RFI emphasizes distinguishing established evidence from uncertainties and comparing U.S. and international approaches.