In light of mounting scientific evidence and a pivotal 2021 court ruling, it is imperative to challenge FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s documented complacency in addressing the non-thermal risks of radiofrequency (RF) radiation. While Carr’s statements, made prior to the FCC’s legal defeat in 2021, attempted to defend outdated safety standards, the courts have made it clear that these guidelines are insufficient to protect public health in the wireless era. New research only underscores the urgency for regulatory action.
The Court’s Mandate: A Turning Point for RF Safety
The 2021 lawsuit spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed glaring inadequacies in the FCC’s decades-old RF safety standards. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled decisively that the FCC failed to justify its refusal to update safety guidelines, ignoring substantial evidence of non-thermal biological effects. This legal victory exposed the fallacy in Carr’s prior assertions that the FCC’s guidelines sufficiently protect public health.
“Rats, There’s a Connection!” New Research Strengthens the Case for Change
A groundbreaking study published in January 2024 further dismantles arguments against the relevance of non-thermal effects. Scientists from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Ramazzini Institute found that tumors caused by RF radiation in rats share striking morphological and genetic similarities with low-grade gliomas in humans. This discovery directly links chronic RF exposure to cancer development in humans, reinforcing earlier findings from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Ramazzini Institute.
Key Findings:
- Tumor Similarities: Rat tumors from lifetime RF exposure exhibit characteristics akin to human gliomas, validating the animal studies as models for human risk.
- Genetic Evidence: Genetic profiling of rat gliomas reveals shared alterations with human cancers, further substantiating the biological plausibility of RF radiation’s carcinogenic potential.
- Implications for Public Health: These findings underscore the urgent need for updated guidelines to protect against RF radiation’s non-thermal effects, which current FCC standards fail to address.
The Rising Tide of Evidence: Why Complacency Is No Longer an Option
1. Cancers and Neurological Disorders on the Rise
The rates of glioblastomas, cardiac schwannomas, and other cancers linked to RF radiation are increasing globally. Simultaneously, neurological disorders like ADHD and autism, which may be influenced by bioelectric disruption from RF exposure, are becoming more prevalent.
2. The Myth of Thermal-Only Risks
Carr’s earlier defenses of the FCC’s guidelines rest on the assumption that RF radiation is harmless below the thermal threshold. However, thousands of peer-reviewed studies now demonstrate non-thermal effects, including:
- DNA damage
- Oxidative stress
- Disruptions to bioelectric signaling critical for cellular health
3. Suppression of Independent Science
Regulatory inertia has stifled independent research and delayed policy changes. The 2021 court ruling invalidates any claim that ongoing FCC oversight is grounded in modern science. Instead, it reveals a troubling pattern of reliance on industry-biased studies.
Calling on Brendan Carr: Accountability and Action
Carr’s documented stance prior to 2021 is incompatible with the legal and scientific developments of the last decade. As a public servant tasked with safeguarding the health of Americans, Carr must prioritize the following:
- Update FCC Guidelines: Implement safety standards that account for non-thermal effects and reflect the latest scientific findings.
- Restore Funding for Research: Advocate for the reinstatement of National Toxicology Program (NTP) studies and other independent research to explore RF radiation’s full impact on human health.
- Engage with Experts: Include scientists specializing in non-thermal effects in FCC advisory panels to ensure a comprehensive approach to RF safety.
The Path Forward: Protecting Public Health
Stop Ignoring Court Orders
The 2021 court ruling is not just a legal milestone—it is a mandate for change. Ignoring this decision undermines public trust and jeopardizes health in an increasingly wireless world.
Follow the Science
Emerging research like the recent NIEHS-Ramazzini study leaves no room for outdated narratives. RF radiation is a real and present danger, and policy must evolve accordingly.
Champion Transparency
Carr and the FCC must commit to transparency, releasing all data used to defend current guidelines and allowing independent audits of their safety assessments.
A Call for Accountability
The FCC’s failure to update RF safety standards after a quarter-century of technological advancements is a glaring oversight with dire public health implications. Brendan Carr’s pre-2021 positions, which sought to defend the status quo, are no longer tenable in light of legal rulings and robust scientific evidence.
We call on Commissioner Carr to honor the court’s mandate, respect the science, and take immediate action to update FCC guidelines. The health of the American people—especially children and vulnerable populations—depends on it. The time for complacency is over; the era of accountability and evidence-based policy must begin.
