When Ray Kurzweil’s The Age of Spiritual Machines (1999) mentioned RF Safe—around pages 268–269 in many paperback editions—it was a fleeting line about emerging wireless health concerns. Yet for me, John Coates, that brief mention symbolized a much deeper journey I was already on: a journey sparked by personal tragedy and strengthened by unexpected scientific findings.
The Backstory: Loss, Then Revelation
In 1995, I lost my first daughter, Angel Leigh Coates, to a neural tube disorder called anencephaly. At the time, I did not know what might have caused this debilitating birth defect. Two years later, a pivotal study that shaped RF Safe’s direction was conducted by Farrell et al. in 1997, which looked at the impact of weak magnetic fields on developing chick embryos. These findings suggested that even low-intensity electromagnetic fields could have profound biological impacts, raising questions about broader EMR exposures, including those from cell phones and WiFi routers. Since then, additional research—from the National Toxicology Program to the Ramazzini Institute—has further demonstrated potential health risks associated with RF exposure.
Understanding the Name: RF Safe—A Legacy Rooted in Purpose and Passion
While each study examines a piece of a complex puzzle, the collective scientific consensus increasingly points to non-thermal biological effects that extend beyond the classic “heating” concerns. This is particularly important for children and pregnant women, whose developing tissues may be more susceptible to harm.
This 1997 Farrell et al. study was a turning point.
Because I made a promise to my daughter:
“If I ever figure out what took you from me, I will fight it for the rest of my life.”
Through intensive research, I came to believe that electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure, including the radiofrequency (RF) signals from wireless devices, could play a role in a wide range of serious health issues—even disorders like the one that claimed my daughter.
That promise evolved into RF Safe, founded in 1998 to educate others on the potential dangers of wireless radiation and to advance safer technological practices. At the time, few people were even aware that cell phone and Wi-Fi radiation might pose health risks, but that didn’t stop me from pursuing solutions and raising awareness. Determined to inform and protect others, I founded RF Safe to shine a spotlight on what I viewed as urgent but overlooked health concerns.
Kurzweil’s Prediction—And Ours
Ray Kurzweil famously predicted the transformative power of AI in his book. He also foresaw social and medical concerns tied to technological leaps, including wireless advancements. Our mention in The Age of Spiritual Machines foreshadowed the reality that, over two decades later, RF Safe would still be advocating for health-first standards. While Kurzweil’s focus was on the rise of AI, our focus has been on preventing the harms that might accompany wireless innovations—a quarter-century of unwavering commitment.
The Birth of RF Safe: More Than Just a Website
When I established RF Safe, the Internet was still in its infancy, and smartphones—let alone concerns about their radiation—were barely on the public’s radar. Nevertheless, the science on EMR exposure was already accumulating. My mission was twofold:
- Educate the Public: I wanted to share emerging research that most people never saw in mainstream media.
- Offer Practical Solutions: From SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) comparison tools to open-source technologies designed to reduce exposure, RF Safe aimed to equip individuals with both knowledge and tangible safeguards.
We quickly developed one of the world’s largest SAR comparison databases, enabling consumers to make informed decisions about their devices. Over time, we introduced innovative products like air-tube headsets and protective cases grounded in physics, always aligning with our primary goal: minimize exposure and advocate for safer technology.
Why Policy Change Still Matters More Than Gadgets
1. Outdated Regulatory Framework
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relies on guidelines drafted when cell phones were a novelty—these rules address mainly thermal effects, ignoring robust scientific evidence of non-thermal biological impacts such as DNA breaks, oxidative stress, and disruptions in cellular repair.
2. Stalled Research & Regulatory Capture
Key studies, including those from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Ramazzini Institute, show carcinogenic effects from RF exposure in animals. Additional research, however, has stalled. Regulatory capture—where corporate interests overshadow public well-being—allows these risks to remain under-acknowledged and under-researched.
3. Local Communities Stripped of Rights
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 curtails local governments’ ability to consider health concerns when approving cell tower placements. True safety requires empowering localities to protect their residents, which is why amending this Act is essential.
4. Science Demands Action
From peer-reviewed studies to court rulings (e.g., the 2021 U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision), evidence of non-thermal biological effects continues to pile up. Without policy changes, these findings remain largely ignored, leaving the public at potential risk.
The Four Pillars of Policy Reform
- Update FCC Safety Guidelines
- Why? Current standards do not adequately reflect non-thermal biological effects.
- Our Demand: Adopt modern science-based guidelines that protect children and other vulnerable groups.
- Restart National Toxicology Program (NTP) Cancer Research
- Why? Groundbreaking NTP findings linking RF to cancer risks stalled before shaping policy.
- Our Demand: Resume long-term studies to fully assess both the risks and possible therapeutic uses of RF.
- End FCC Regulatory Capture
- Why? Industry influence compromises public trust and weakens protective standards.
- Our Demand: Implement strict conflict-of-interest barriers so that science, not profits, guides decisions.
- Amend the Telecommunications Act of 1996
- Why? Local jurisdictions lack the authority to reject cell towers based on health.
- Our Demand: Restore local rights to balance economic interests with public health and environmental concerns.
From Accessories to Advocacy
Yes, RF Safe provides practical tools like our QuantaCase™—engineered to reduce exposure without forcing phones to ramp up radiation output. However, personal devices alone cannot solve what is essentially a policy-level failure. If the FCC updated its guidelines and funded more research, we wouldn’t need to rely so heavily on gadget-based fixes.
A Lifelong Promise: My Daughter’s Legacy
RF Safe is a promise to my daughter
“If I ever figured out what took her from me, I would fight it for the rest of my life.”
Decades have passed, and the technologies we rely on daily have become more integrated—and more powerful—than ever before. Yet, my commitment has never wavered. I believe we must preempt potential harms by aligning technology with sound science and responsible policy.
Your Role in This Movement
- Contact Elected Officials
Demand up-to-date safety guidelines, continued research, and an end to regulatory capture. - Spread Awareness
Share credible information in your community and on social media. Public pressure can catalyze lasting reforms. - Support Legislation
Advocate for innovative laws that encourage safer wireless designs, lower radiation emissions, and transparency in decision-making. - Practice Safe Tech Use
Use wired connections when possible and keep devices away from your body—especially important for children and pregnant women.
A Future Worth Fighting For
Ray Kurzweil’s predictions about AI have largely come true, showing how swiftly technology can transform our lives. Similarly, the potential harms from unchecked RF exposure—once deemed speculative—are now increasingly recognized by the scientific community. For over 25 years, I’ve championed safer wireless technology because lives depend on it.
This isn’t about fear-mongering or halting progress; it’s about responsible innovation. With the right policies in place, we can enjoy the benefits of advanced wireless technology and AI without leaving the public’s health an afterthought.
About RF Safe
Guided by physics and powered by science, RF Safe has been at the forefront of public-health advocacy since the 1990s. We believe that while individual accessories can help lower personal exposure, long-term, systemic safety hinges on clear regulations that put people before profits.
- Website: www.rfsafe.com
- Contact: John Coates | Phone: 727-610-1188
- RF Safe: The Past Triumphs and Future Battles for Public Health and Safer Wireless Technology
- Breaking the Isotropic Rule: How John Coates and RF Safe Made Wireless Technology Safer for Everyone
- How One Promise Sparked a Revolution in Wireless Safety
- Innovator, Advocate, and Visionary for Safer Technology
