Notice2026-19252
Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services Department
Abstract
Consistent with the Department of Health and Human Services' emphasis on evaluating environmental factors that may affect human health, particularly among children and other potentially vulnerable populations, HHS seeks information on electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions and exposure, particularly RF and wireless, and human health. RF radiation and other forms of non-ionizing electromagnetic (EMF) exposure, will hereafter be referred to as "RF/EMF." Responses will help identify and assess the current state of the scientific evidence on RF/EMF exposures and health outcomes, compare existing domestic and international safety standards and regulatory approaches, identify research gaps and priority areas for future study, and inform practical, evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, public health stakeholders, families, schools, and communities. HHS welcomes input from researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, industry, standards organizations, educators, advocacy groups, and members of the public to clearly distinguish established evidence from emerging findings and areas of uncertainty, and supports transparent, science-informed decision-making.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 181 (Monday, September 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 181 (Monday, September 21, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59792-59794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19252]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs),
Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the
Department).
ACTION: Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on electromagnetic
field (EMF) exposure and human health.
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SUMMARY: Consistent with the Department of Health and Human Services'
emphasis on evaluating environmental factors that may affect human
health, particularly among children and other potentially vulnerable
populations, HHS seeks information on electromagnetic field (EMF)
emissions and exposure, particularly RF and wireless, and human health.
RF radiation and other forms of non-ionizing electromagnetic (EMF)
exposure, will hereafter be referred to as ``RF/EMF.'' Responses will
help identify and assess the current state of the scientific evidence
on RF/EMF exposures and health outcomes, compare existing domestic and
international safety standards and regulatory approaches, identify
research gaps and priority areas for future study, and inform
practical, evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, public
health stakeholders, families, schools, and communities. HHS welcomes
input from researchers, clinicians, public health professionals,
industry, standards organizations, educators, advocacy groups, and
members of the public to clearly distinguish established evidence from
emerging findings and areas of uncertainty, and supports transparent,
science-informed decision-making.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received no later than October
21, 2026.
ADDRESSES: RFI Docket: You may examine the RFI docket at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under HHS-OASH-2026-0397. The docket contains this RFI
and all comments received to date. To submit a response, click the
``Comment'' button inside Docket: HHS-OASH-2026-0397and follow all
instructions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Marshall, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Health, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fab5bba9b2d7a8bcb3ba929289d49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b646a786306796d626b434358054c445d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are energy
fields produced by moving electrically charged particles and electrical
currents. EMFs occur across a broad range of frequencies, including low
radiofrequency (RF) associated with power systems and household
appliances, as well as higher RF and microwave exposures associated
with wireless communication technologies. HHS is conducting this
request for information under 21 CFR subpart J.
Public concern about potential health effects from RF/EMF exposure
has increased, particularly in relation to children, schools, and long-
term cumulative exposure. At the same time, scientific literature is
extensive, technically complex, and not always easy for policymakers or
public health stakeholders to interpret. Exposure standards and
regulatory approaches also vary across jurisdictions. HHS is interested
in clear, balanced, and evidence-informed information about RF/EMF
exposure that can support decision-making, identify research
priorities, and inform practical strategies to reduce unnecessary
exposure where appropriate.
Request for Information
For this RFI, HHS is seeking input from the public, including
individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, public
health practitioners, researchers, organizations, equipment or product
manufacturers, service or infrastructure providers, and other
interested stakeholders that have knowledge of or experience with RF/
EMF emission and exposure. Please identify whether your response is
based on peer-reviewed research, government reports, industry data,
clinical observations, or other sources. If you rely on existing
exposure guidelines, regulatory frameworks, or scientific assessments,
please identify the specific framework(s) and explain how they inform
your response. Respondents are encouraged to include supporting facts,
research, datasets, technical reports, and other evidence in their
comments, including citations to the published materials referenced,
and active hyperlinks, where available.
Instructions
1. Responses submitted at <a href="http://regulations.gov/deregulation">regulations.gov/deregulation</a> should
follow the format provided there. You may respond to one or more of the
questions listed below and please include question numbers provided in
the response. Each responding entity (person or organization) should
submit only one response. Unless submitted anonymously, responses
should include the name(s) of the person(s) or organization(s)
submitting the comment. If a comment is submitted on behalf of an
organization, the individual respondent's role in the organization may
also be provided. In your response, please describe which
perspective(s) your comments represent: individual consumer, patient,
family member, or caregiver; healthcare professional; equipment or
product manufacturer; service or infrastructure provider; business;
industry group; government; research entity; or another type of
organization or perspective.
This RFI is voluntary, and responses may be submitted anonymously.
Please do not submit proprietary, classified, confidential, or
sensitive information, to include personally identifiable (PII) or
personal health information (PHI), in response to this RFI.
This RFI should not be construed as a policy, solicitation for
applications, or as an obligation on the part of the government to
provide support for any
[[Page 59793]]
ideas in response to it. Comments submitted will become public on
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. The information provided will be analyzed and may
appear in anonymized reports, on HHS websites, or otherwise released
publicly. Respondents are advised that the government is not obligated
to acknowledge receipt of submissions. Those submitting responses are
solely responsible for all expenses associated with response
preparation. HHS will use the information submitted in response to this
RFI at its discretion and will not comment on any respondent's
submission. However, responses to this RFI may be reflected in future
solicitation(s) or policies.
Questions
Public Experiences and Reported Potential Adverse Health Effects
2. In your response, please describe which perspective(s) your
comments represent: individual consumer, patient, family member, or
caregiver; healthcare professional; worker with occupational exposure;
equipment or product manufacturer; service or infrastructure provider;
business; industry group; government; research entity; or another type
of organization or perspective.
3. We invite individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare
professionals, and organizations to share experiences regarding
potential adverse health effects they believe may be associated with
exposure to RF/EMFs. Respondents are encouraged to provide as much
detail as they are comfortable sharing, recognizing that responses to
this RFI will be public and therefore should not include PII or PHI.
Examples of information that may be helpful to include are the
following:
a. The type(s) of wireless technology or RF/EMF source(s) involved
(e.g., mobile phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters, wireless infrastructure,
wearable devices, occupational equipment).
b. The nature, duration, frequency, and approximate timing of the
reported exposure(s).
c. The potential adverse health effects experienced.
d. When potential adverse health effects first appeared relative to
when exposure began and whether any changes in exposure coincided with
potential adverse health effects.
e. Whether medical evaluation or treatment was sought, including
any diagnoses received (if the respondent chooses to share them).
f. Whether steps to reduce or eliminate exposure were taken and, if
so, whether any subsequent changes in potential adverse health effects
were observed.
g. Any supporting documentation, including scientific reports,
exposure measurements, or other relevant information.
4. We invite healthcare professionals, researchers, and public
health practitioners to describe observations from clinical practice,
occupational settings, or research that may help identify patterns, if
any, of reported potential adverse health effects associated with RF/
EMF radiation and exposure. In describing these observations, please
include where available:
h. The types of potential adverse health effects reported.
i. Onset of potential adverse health effects.
j. Characteristics of the individuals or populations involved,
excluding any identifying information such as PII or PHI.
k. Any observed exposure patterns.
l. What standardized methods were used to assess exposure or
potential adverse health effects, if any were used.
m. Recommendations for future research or surveillance.
Exposure Standards and Risk Assessment
5. What existing national and international exposure standards,
guidelines, or regulatory frameworks should federal health agencies
consider when evaluating the potential adverse health effects of human
exposure to RF/EMF?
n. What scientific, technical, or regulatory changes by federal
health agencies, if any, would improve the assessment, disclosure, and
regulation of wireless radiation exposure?
o. Is additional research needed to develop, test, and evaluate the
effectiveness of procedures and techniques for minimizing exposure to
electronic product radiation? Where are the largest gaps, if any, in
knowledge? What research is needed to appropriately evaluate current or
future national and international exposure standards, guidelines, or
regulatory frameworks.
p. How, if at all, should a classification system account for
exposure-related characteristics, including operating frequency, power
density, specific absorption rate (SAR), electric- and magnetic-field
strength, modulation and pulse characteristics, duty cycle,
beamforming, simultaneous exposure to multiple frequencies, duration of
exposure, distance from the source, proximity to the body, and
cumulative exposure over time?
6. What scientific evidence exists about potential adverse health
effects caused by current exposure limits?
Measuring Human Exposure and Public Health Surveillance
7. What scientific methods are currently available for accurately
characterizing individual and population-level RF radiation exposure?
8. What, if any, improvements in exposure assessment methodologies
are needed to better evaluate real-world exposure conditions?
9. What, if any, technical and exposure-related information should
be disclosed to consumers, residents, workers, schools, healthcare
providers, and local governments?
10. What data sources or surveillance systems currently exist to
monitor potential adverse health effects associated with RF radiation
exposure? Should additional data sources or surveillance systems be
developed? Please discuss the benefits and challenges of the following
data sources and surveillance systems, as relevant:
a. disease registries.
b. occupational monitoring.
c. environmental monitoring.
d. longitudinal cohort studies.
e. biomonitoring.
f. adverse event reporting.
g. disease or illness clusters.
h. Other.
11. Should exposure assessment or risk evaluation differ for
sensitive populations such as those noted below? Please explain.
a. children.
b. pregnant women.
c. older adults.
d. individuals with implanted medical devices.
e. workers with elevated occupational exposure.
f. individuals with preexisting medical conditions.
g. Other populations that may uniquely experience potential adverse
health effects in response to RF radiation.
Existing Evidence
12. What scientific evidence exists regarding potential adverse
health effects associated with RF radiation exposure at levels below
current federal exposure limits?
13. According to scientific evidence, how do the technologies below
affect cumulative exposure patterns?
a. 5G.
b. 6G.
c. Wi-Fi.
d. Satellite-based communications.
e. Internet of Things (IoT).
f. Wearable technologies.
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g. Smart homes/appliances.
h. Smart cities.
i. Autonomous vehicles.
j. Wireless medical devices.
k. Communication enabled smart meters.
14. What scientific evidence exists regarding potential adverse
environmental effects associated with RF radiation?
15. What types of scientific evidence should be considered when
evaluating RF exposure associated with wireless infrastructure? Please
comment on:
a. proximity to homes, schools, childcare facilities, healthcare
facilities, and/or workplaces.
b. cumulative neighborhood exposure.
c. antenna density.
d. small-cell deployment.
e. livestock.
Federal Research Priorities
16. What are the highest priority research gaps regarding EMF and
RF radiation and public health that the federal health agencies should
address?
17. How can federal health agencies improve coordination of EMF and
RF radiation research? Please comment on potential roles for federal
health agencies including, but not limited to:
a. HHS Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
b. HHS National Institutes of Health (NIH).
c. HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Additional Information
18. Please identify any additional scientific evidence, technical
information, data, or recommendations that federal health agencies
should consider when evaluating potential adverse health effects
associated with RF/EMF radiation exposure.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2026-19252 Filed 9-17-26; 12:30 pm]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P
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