As concerns about the potential health effects of human exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy are reemerging once again, two federal agencies are seeking public comment on whether their current regulations are sufficient.
In the first instance, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requesting comments on its current rules regarding RF exposure from Commission-regulated transmitters and facilities. This action represents a follow-up to an extended inquiry by the Commission into RF exposure safety rules that was terminated in December 2019.
In a Public Notice, the Commission says its “RF exposure rules are continuously evaluated and based on gold-standard research from entities with specialized expertise in health and safety issues,” and that the current inquiry is intended to “refresh the record” regarding the alignment of its regulations with these standards.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a Request for Information seeking comments from “Americans, scientists, physicians, industry, and public health experts to submit evidence and information on the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), radiofrequency (RF) radiation, and wireless radiation exposure.”
Specifically, the HHS is requesting information in several areas, including existing scientific evidence, clinical observations, exposure measurement, standards, and risk assessment,
Read the FCC’s Public Notice requesting comment on its current RF exposure regulations.
Comments can be filed electronically through the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (ECFS) (reference Docket ET No. 13-84). Comments are due October 22, 2026.
Read the HHS’s Request for Information.
Comments can be filed electronically through the Regulations.gov website. Comments are due October 21, 2026.
