The Children’s Health Defense (CHD) has long been at the forefront of advocating for children’s health. Specifically, they have been leading the charge in educating and advocating for EMF safety.

Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation is everywhere – emitted by our cell phones and other wireless devices. Decades of research suggest that EMF exposure could potentially cause adverse health effects, from sleep and attention issues to DNA damage. With children being the most vulnerable to the effects of EMF exposure due to their developing brains and bodies, the need for action is urgent. The CHD has been advocating for stronger protections and EMF limits, even taking legal action against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for failing to update their guidelines to reflect our rapidly evolving technology.

This exclusive interview with the CHD explores the science behind EMF risks, the ongoing battle for regulatory reform, and practical steps families can take to reduce their exposure.

Children’s Health Defense (CHD) has been at the forefront of fighting back against the chronic disease epidemic plaguing today’s children, and the industries that capture government agencies to relentlessly push flawed science. The electromagnetic field (EMF) issue became a priority for CHD when we learned about the mounting scientific evidence about the health impacts of wireless radiation—particularly to children, whose developing brains and bodies are far more vulnerable. It’s the same industry-captured government playbook we knew from other areas: Despite thousands of peer-reviewed studies linking EMF exposure to DNA damage, neurological damage, and cancer, U.S. regulatory agencies like the FCC and FDA did absolutely nothing to educate the public and protect our children. This disconnect between science and public policy, as well as the thousands of stories of people who suffer from the wireless radiation exposure but have no recourse, compelled us to direct our legal, educational, and advocacy efforts to this space. 

Yes, one pivotal moment was the release of the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) study in 2018, which found “clear evidence” that long-term exposure to non-ionizing radiofrequency radiation—like that emitted by cell phones—caused cancer in lab animals. This, along with the Ramazzini Institute’s independent study showing similar results at much lower exposure levels, confirmed what thousands of peer-reviewed studies had been signaling for years: that EMF exposure, even at levels considered “safe” by outdated standards, could cause serious harm. These findings, combined with the rapid, unregulated rollout of new cell phone technologies, 5G, and the growing number of reports of health issues related to wireless infrastructure are really eye opening. And the fact that despite this mounting evidence, our government agencies had no intent or motivation to protect or inform the public made it clear that EMF safety was an urgent issue affecting children’s health that could not be ignored. 

Current research indicates that children are especially vulnerable to health risks from electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, including from wireless devices and infrastructure like Wi-Fi, cell phones, and 5G. Studies show that children absorb more radiation than adults due to their thinner skulls, smaller heads, rapidly developing nervous systems, and longer expected lifetime exposure. Scientific literature has linked EMF exposure in children to a range of health effects, including:

• Cognitive and behavioral problems
• Sleep disturbances
• Oxidative stress
• DNA damage
• Uncreased risk of cancer

Large-scale animal studies, such as those by the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Ramazzini Institute, have confirmed the non-thermal biological harm from EMF exposure. This raises serious concerns about human health because we are being inundated with wireless radiation from 4G/LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, cell phones, smart meters and other wireless devices—especially in growing children. As a result, CHD alongside many scientists and medical experts are calling for precautionary measures and revised exposure guidelines to better protect children from chronic EMF exposure.

Yes, numerous scientific studies and case reports support the claim that wireless technology is likely a significant factor contributing to the chronic disease epidemic of our children. There has been a noticeable rise in childhood health issues in general, and many independent experts believe this rise is linked to increasing EMF exposure from wireless technology. Symptoms associated with Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome (EMR-S)—like attention and memory issues, sleep disturbances, learning difficulties, frequent headaches, fatigue, and behavioral problems—are becoming increasingly common among children. Again, due to their thinner skulls, developing nervous systems, and longer expected lifetime exposure, children are especially vulnerable to the effects of wireless radiation exposure. Think about it: due to artificial wireless radiation exposure, our children are exposed 24/7 to levels that are at least 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 times higher than natural levels.

Well, first of all we must acknowledge the inherent bias that exists in industry-funded studies. An analysis by Henry Lai found that industry-funded studies were only 30 percent likely to find a biological effect from wireless radiation exposure, whereas independent studies were 70 percent likely to find an effect. In other words, the wireless industry intentionally denies, suppresses, and downplays the effects of wireless radiation exposure. We can point any critic to the thousands of peer-reviewed studies that show biological harm from EMF exposure, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, neurological effects, and cancer—many of which occur at levels far below current regulatory limits. Regulatory inaction is not due to a lack of scientific evidence, but rather due to regulatory incompetence and failure to update standards in light of overwhelming evidence. Public health policy should be guided by the precautionary principle, especially when it comes to protecting our children. 

The biggest gap in current U.S. regulation is that EMF exposure guidelines are based solely on flawed and outdated thermal standards, enacted almost 30 years ago in 1996. These guidelines only consider thermal/heating effects of EMF exposure, and completely ignore well-established non-thermal biological effects. What is perhaps most remarkable, is that these guidelines are based on behavioral studies in which five monkeys and eight rats were exposed to wireless radiation and monitored to see when they would quit eating. CHD has repeatedly emphasized the clear flaws of these guidelines, and the thousands of peer-reviewed studies that show harmful effects at non-thermal levels. Despite this, the FCC has refused to update its guidelines, due in large part to industry influence and regulatory capture. Even though the current standards remain in place for now, in CHD’s landmark case against the FCC the court held that the FCC had failed to consider, much less address, the vast amount of scientific literature regarding:

• The ubiquitous wireless environment
• The cumulative effect of exposure from multiple wireless sources
• The effects of sophisticated modulation and pulsation
• The particular vulnerabilities of children
• The negative impacts on nature and wildlife
• How wireless radiation exposure impacts the brain and nervous system, contributes to male infertility, and causes Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome, oxidative stress and DNA damage

To this day, the agency has failed to meaningfully justify its standards, leaving the public—and especially children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable populations—unprotected.

Compared to many other countries, the United States has significantly less protective EMF exposure guidelines. Our exposure limits are much higher than most countries and many European countries like Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, and Austria have implemented much stricter limits, especially in sensitive areas like close to schools and hospitals. More than 20 countries have issued public health recommendations to limit wireless exposure, particularly for children, based on the precautionary principle and growing evidence of serious health effects. 

The key arguments focused on the agency’s failure to consider extensive scientific and medical evidence showing that EMF exposure can cause serious non-thermal biological effects, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, neurological harm, and cancer. CHD and other plaintiffs argued that the FCC’s decision to retain its 1996 exposure limits—despite an explosion in wireless technologies and thousands of studies submitted to the record—was arbitrary, capricious, and a violation of its duty to protect public health. The case also emphasized that the FCC ignored crucial evidence of harm to children, pregnant women, and people with electromagnetic radiation sensitivity, and failed to respond to over 11,000 pages of expert submissions, including scientific studies, affidavits, and comments from doctors and scientists. The court agreed, ruling that the FCC had not provided a reasoned explanation for dismissing this evidence and ordering the agency to re-evaluate its guidelines.

We always start by recommending that parents educate themselves and their communities by sharing science-based resources, attending webinars, and organizing local events to raise awareness about the health risks of wireless radiation. We have a lot of information on our website, ready to download. Follow us on all social media platforms @Stop5GNearMe. Once educated, we call on people to advocate for safer technology policies in schools, neighborhoods, and local governments—such as demanding wired internet over Wi-Fi, opposing 5G small cell installations near homes, and urging local officials to adopt protective ordinances regulating the placement and siting of wireless infrastructure. Supporting CHD’s legal and advocacy work through donations, petition signing, and public commenting during regulatory proceedings is crucial to holding agencies like the FCC accountable.

Individuals can also get involved with CHD’s on-the-ground initiatives like Stop 5G Community Empowerment Consulting, which offers expert consulting and legal services, ordinance review, and public hearing preparation for communities fighting cell towers and small cells near homes and schools. Through the 704 No More legal initiative, citizens can help push back against federal overreach by advocating for the repeal or reform of Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act, which currently limits state and local control over wireless siting. Concrete ways to get involved include: forming or joining a local Stop 5G or Safe Tech group, hosting a CHD speaker in your town, submitting an objection to a proposed wireless facility, or partnering with local officials to draft safer wireless ordinances. These grassroots efforts are essential to building a strong, informed movement to protect public health and reclaim local control.

There’s actually a lot of practical steps to significantly reduce their children’s EMF exposure both at home and at school. At home, key strategies include: using wired Ethernet connections instead of wireless whenever possible or if it is not, turning off Wi-Fi at night, keeping cell phones and tablets on airplane mode when not in use, and never allowing children to sleep with devices near their heads and bodies. Eliminating cordless phones and Wi-Fi routers from bedrooms or play areas, and opting for wired baby monitors instead of wireless models, for example. Limit screen time and teach kids to use speakerphone or wired headphones for calls, never holding devices directly against their heads or bodies.

At school, parents should advocate for wired internet connections instead of wireless, encourage the creation of low-EMF classrooms, and request that schools avoid installing wireless access points near classrooms or seating areas. Cell phone bans or time limits are also very effective, particularly for older kids and teenagers, and we are seeing an increasing number of states going in that direction. Joining or forming a parent advocacy group can amplify efforts to work with school boards and administrators to implement safer tech policies. Simple changes like asking teachers to power down tablets when not in use or store them outside of children’s desks can also make a difference. Each of these steps helps reduce cumulative exposure and supports a healthier learning and living environment for children.

First and foremost we need to keep cell towers as far away as possible from schools and public spaces where our children live and play. Many schools are leasing out their grounds to telecom companies and are building towers right next to the school, which is simply unnecessary and unacceptable. One of the most effective and cost-efficient steps is to install wired internet connections instead of relying on Wi-Fi, and to disable wireless routers when not in use or in areas where they're not needed. Schools can also reposition or remove Wi-Fi access points from classrooms and common areas to reduce direct exposure, and avoid placing them near where children sit, study, or sleep (such as in nap rooms at daycare centers). Most school Wi-Fi routers are left in their default settings, which means the power is far more than necessary. They can be easily turned to a lower setting without significant impact on performance.

Devices like tablets and laptops should be used in airplane mode whenever possible, and wired accessories—like keyboards, headphones, and printers—should be prioritized over Bluetooth or wireless options. Schools can designate low-EMF zones, limit the use of wireless tech in early childhood education, and set policies that encourage safer use practices (like not holding devices against the body). Public spaces such as libraries, community centers, and playgrounds can follow similar steps, while also posting signage to inform the public about EMF-reduction measures. Creating these safer environments doesn’t mean giving up technology—it means using it in a way that better protects children’s health and development.