Seven-year-old Melanie Coates sits at her first-grade desk in Seminole, Florida, just 465 feet from a massive cell tower. For eight hours a day, five days a week, she’s exposed to microwave radiation emanating from a transmitter that should, according to the BioInitiative Report, be at least 1,500 feet away from schools to protect children’s developing brains and bodies.
In many countries, Melanie’s situation would be illegal. Nations like France, India, and Israel have enacted laws limiting cell towers near schools, kindergartens, and other sensitive areas. But in the United States—despite its wealth, technological dominance, and supposed commitment to freedom and safety—parents like Melanie’s father, John Coates, are legally barred from raising health concerns about the placement of cell towers near children.
Why? Because of Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996—a federal gag order that prevents communities from challenging wireless infrastructure based on health risks. This unconstitutional law is compounded by outdated FCC safety guidelines, written by industry engineers, not medical professionals, in the mid-1990s. Together, they create a legal and regulatory framework that prioritizes corporate profits over public health.
Melanie’s story is not unique, but it is urgent. Across America, countless children are exposed to harmful levels of wireless radiation because of laws that silence parents and protect the wireless industry. It’s time to repeal Section 704, enforce Public Law 90-602, and demand science-based safety guidelines that genuinely protect our children.
Melanie’s Situation: A Danger That Wouldn’t Be Allowed Elsewhere
What’s Happening in Seminole, Florida?
Melanie attends an elementary school where her desk is just 465 feet from a cell tower—a distance well within the danger zone identified by international studies. The BioInitiative Report, which synthesizes over 1,800 studies on electromagnetic fields (EMFs), recommends a 1,500-foot minimum distance between cell towers and schools to minimize health risks for children.
The risks are not theoretical. Research has linked radiofrequency (RF) radiation to:
- DNA damage and oxidative stress.
- Cognitive impairments like ADHD and memory deficits.
- Increased cancer risks in long-term, cumulative exposures.
In countries like France, India, Israel, and Chile, laws restrict cell tower placements near schools, kindergartens, and hospitals. For example:
- France prohibits cell towers near primary schools and enforces strict exposure limits.
- India bans towers near schools, colleges, and hospitals, recognizing the vulnerability of children.
- Israel does not allow antennas on schools or kindergartens.
But in the U.S., Section 704 makes it illegal for communities to cite health risks when opposing cell tower placements. Melanie’s father, John Coates, founder of RF Safe, knows the science and understands the risks, yet he’s legally silenced.
“My hands are tied,” says John Coates. “I know how dangerous this is, but Section 704 prevents me from protecting my child. It’s unconstitutional, and it’s harming millions of kids like Melanie.”
Why Section 704 Is Unconstitutional
What Is Section 704?
Passed in 1996 as part of the Telecommunications Act, Section 704 prohibits local governments from rejecting cell towers based on health concerns. This law:
- Strips communities of their rights: Parents, schools, and local leaders cannot oppose towers, even with credible scientific evidence of harm.
- Violates constitutional freedoms: It infringes on the First Amendment (free speech) by silencing health objections and the Tenth Amendment (states’ rights) by removing local authority over public welfare.
- Protects corporate profits: Section 704 ensures the wireless industry can expand unchecked, even at the expense of public health.
A Legal Gag Order
Section 704 is effectively a federal gag order that prioritizes corporate convenience over constitutional rights. It forces communities to accept cell towers, even near schools and playgrounds, without the ability to cite health risks—a clear violation of parental rights and local governance.
The FCC’s Illegitimate Safety Guidelines
Outdated and Industry-Driven
The FCC’s RF safety guidelines, established in 1996, are based on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits, which measure how much RF radiation heats tissue. These guidelines:
- Were created by telecom engineers, not medical professionals.
- Focus solely on thermal effects (tissue heating) and ignore non-thermal biological effects like DNA damage and neuroinflammation.
- Are based on 1950s and 60s military radar studies that have no relevance to modern wireless technology or the long-term, low-level exposure children face near cell towers.
“These aren’t safety standards,” Coates says. “They’re industry convenience standards.”
Ignoring Non-Thermal Effects
Modern science shows that RF radiation causes harm even without heating tissue. Key findings include:
- Oxidative Stress: RF exposure generates reactive oxygen species, leading to DNA damage and cellular dysfunction.
- Cognitive Impacts: Studies, like the Yale mouse study, link prenatal RF exposure to ADHD-like symptoms in offspring.
- Cancer Risks: The National Toxicology Program (NTP) and Ramazzini Institute found clear evidence of cancer in animals exposed to RF radiation at levels below FCC limits.
The FCC’s guidelines ignore these effects, leaving children like Melanie unprotected.
Public Law 90-602: A Forgotten Solution
What Is Public Law 90-602?
Enacted in 1968, Public Law 90-602 (Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act) requires the federal government to:
- Conduct ongoing research into radiation hazards.
- Update safety standards based on new scientific evidence.
- Inform the public about risks and mitigation strategies.
A Law Ignored
Despite its clear mandate, Public Law 90-602 is largely unenforced. The FCC has not updated its guidelines in nearly 30 years, and no significant public education campaigns have been launched to address RF radiation risks.
By enforcing Public Law 90-602, we could:
- Replace industry-engineered guidelines with medical-led standards.
- Account for non-thermal effects, cumulative exposure, and vulnerable populations like children.
What Needs to Happen: A Call to Action
Repeal Section 704
Americans deserve the right to:
- Challenge cell tower placements based on health concerns.
- Demand safe distances between towers and schools, homes, and playgrounds.
Enforce Public Law 90-602
The federal government must:
- Fund independent research into RF radiation’s health effects.
- Update RF safety guidelines to reflect modern science.
- Launch public education campaigns on how to reduce exposure.
Adopt International Best Practices
America should follow the lead of countries like France, India, and Israel, which have enacted strict laws to protect children from RF radiation. These measures include:
- Banning cell towers near schools and kindergartens.
- Restricting children’s exposure to wireless devices.
- Setting exposure limits far stricter than those in the U.S.
Protecting Melanie—and Every Child
Melanie Coates sits just 465 feet from a cell tower, exposed to radiation every school day. Her father, John Coates, knows the risks but is legally barred from challenging the tower due to Section 704. This unconstitutional law silences parents, ignores science, and puts corporate profits above public health.
In many countries, Melanie’s situation would be unthinkable. It’s time for the United States to catch up. By repealing Section 704, enforcing Public Law 90-602, and adopting medical-led RF safety standards, we can protect children like Melanie from unnecessary harm and build a safer future for all.
Please join the fight. Repost and share this story with the hashtag #TrumpRepeal704. Together, we can make America both great and healthy again.
Take Action Today
- Contact Congress: Demand the repeal of Section 704 and the enforcement of Public Law 90-602.
- Spread Awareness: Share Melanie’s story on social media with #TrumpRepeal704.
- Support Independent Research: Advocate for RF studies that reflect real-world exposure and risks.
- Adopt Safer Practices: Limit Wi-Fi use, turn off devices at night, and avoid carrying phones on the body.
Together, we can protect our children, restore constitutional rights, and demand accountability from those responsible for public health. The time to act is now.
