A Promise Made, A Mission Continued
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 in a larger discussion about emerging wireless health concerns. Yet for me, John Coates, that mention underscored a commitment I had already made: I promised my first daughter if I found out what took her I would never stop fighting it. That was a quarter of a century ago. Today, I remain steadfast in my mission to ensure that future generations have technology that enriches their lives without endangering their health.
Over two decades later, the debate about cell phone radiation risks is no longer theoretical. Cutting-edge research and scientific consensus confirm that non-thermal biological effects—on top of thermal ones—pose potential dangers to human health. Children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups are particularly at risk. Despite these findings, public policy remains stagnant, clinging to guidelines set in the 1990s when our understanding of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) was far more limited.
In this blog, I’ll explain why meaningful policy reform—not merely relying on accessories or “anti-radiation” products—holds the key to achieving truly safe wireless technology for everyone.
Why Policy Change Matters More Than Gadgets
1. Outdated Regulatory Framework
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) still relies on guidelines established in the 1990s. These decades-old rules focus almost exclusively on thermal (heating) effects of RF exposure. Modern science, however, shows that low-level, non-thermal RF radiation can cause DNA breaks, oxidative stress, and even cellular repair disruptions—effects that may be linked to cancer, neurological disorders, and more.
2. Stalled Research and Regulatory Capture
Groundbreaking studies from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Ramazzini Institute demonstrate carcinogenic effects in animals, mirroring tumor types in humans. Yet further research has stalled, while the FCC continues to deny the need for updated standards. Part of the problem is industry influence—known as regulatory capture—that prioritizes profits over public health. If we want real safety, we must break industry’s grip on policymaking.
3. Local Communities Stripped of Rights
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 curtails local governments’ ability to reject cell tower placements over health concerns, effectively undermining community autonomy. True safety must empower local authorities to protect their residents. Amending this act to restore local rights is crucial.
4. Science Demands Action
We’re not dealing with fringe science; court rulings (such as the 2021 U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision), peer-reviewed studies, and an evolving global scientific consensus all point to non-thermal biological effects. Yet without policy changes, these findings remain largely ignored by regulators.
The Four Pillars of Policy Reform
- Update FCC Safety Guidelines
- Why? Today’s standards ignore non-thermal biological effects and fail to protect children and other vulnerable populations.
- Our Demand: Modernize FCC rules to reflect contemporary science, forcing manufacturers to design devices with genuine safety in mind.
- Restart National Toxicology Program (NTP) Cancer Research
- Why? Groundbreaking research linking RF radiation to health risks stalled before fully informing updated guidelines.
- Our Demand: Resume comprehensive studies to understand the long-term implications of RF exposure—and to explore therapeutic uses as well.
- End FCC Regulatory Capture
- Why? Industry ties at the highest levels erode public trust and weaken protective regulations.
- Our Demand: Enact strict measures preventing conflicts of interest, ensuring a firewall between the wireless industry and policymakers.
- Amend the Telecommunications Act of 1996
- Why? Communities are blocked from rejecting cell tower placements based on health concerns.
- Our Demand: Restore local authority to safeguard public health, property values, and environmental quality.
From Accessories to Advocacy: The Real Solution
Many people assume that “anti-radiation” phone cases or shields alone will solve the issue. At RF Safe, we have developed science-based products—like our QuantaCase™—that minimize radiation exposure without forcing phones to increase their output power. However, I’ve also spent decades exposing fraudulent gadgets that do more harm than good by causing devices to boost radiation levels in compensating for blocked signals.
Accessories can be part of a personal safety strategy, but they are a bandage on a regulatory wound that needs stitching at the policy level. If the FCC updated its guidelines and funded robust research, we wouldn’t have to rely on personal gadgets as our primary line of defense.
My Personal Journey: A Legacy for My Daughter
RF Safe was born out of a personal tragedy. After my daughter, Angel Leigh Coates, passed away from a neural tube disorder, I delved deep into research on how electromagnetic fields might disrupt human development. I launched RF Safe in 1998 to share what I learned, well before mainstream awareness of these risks. We introduced air-tube headsets, belly bands for pregnant women, and other EMF safety products decades ago—long before today’s heightened concerns.
But my advocacy has never been about selling products alone; it’s about fulfilling the promise I made to my daughter and protecting future generations from preventable harm. We need policies that reflect scientific reality, not outdated assumptions from a different era.
Taking Action: Your Role in This Movement
- Contact Elected Officials
Demand that they adopt updated safety guidelines, support the resumption of critical research, and address regulatory capture. - Spread Awareness
Share credible information online and in community forums. Public pressure can move mountains where political will is lacking. - Support Legislation
Advocate for laws that incentivize safer tech design, lower radiation emissions, and enforce transparent policymaking. - Practice Safe Tech Use
Limit personal exposure by using wired connections when possible and keeping devices away from your body—especially crucial for children.
A Call for Real Change
We stand at a pivotal moment in history. The scientific evidence is too strong to ignore, and the stakes are too high to remain passive. Just as we once demanded new policies after learning about the dangers of lead paint or tobacco, we must now insist on updated RF safety standards. This isn’t about hampering technological progress; it’s about ensuring innovation thrives responsibly.
For more than 25 years, I’ve lived by the promise I made to my daughter. I’m inviting you to join me in urging policymakers, corporate leaders, and researchers to take the bold steps we need—steps grounded in science, transparency, and respect for human health.
Together, we can shape a future in which wireless technology truly serves us all—safely, ethically, and sustainably.
About RF Safe
Guided by physics and powered by science, RF Safe has been championing public health since the 1990s. We focus on policy reform because, while personal accessories can help lower individual exposure, lasting, universal safety stems from clear, enforceable regulations that prioritize people over profits. Learn more at www.rfsafe.com.
Contact: John Coates
Phone: 727-610-1188
Website: www.rfsafe.com
- 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
