Author: cindyleerussell

The first Commission formed in the United States to study the environmental and health effects of 5G technology released their comprehensive final report November 1, 2020. The Commission to Study the Environmental and Health Effects of Evolving 5G Technology was born in the in the “Live Free or Die” state of New Hampshire, and included 15 recommendations addressing the need for public education about wireless hazards, RF health studies, RF measurements, cell antenna setbacks, fiberoptic rather than wireless deployment, commercial warning signs and wildlife protection. After hearing extensive testimony in a series of 13 meetings over the course of a year and reviewing an abundance of research, the Commission highlighted the lack of a single definition for 5G, insufficient evidence of safety for 5^thgeneration technology, a concern that safety standards for wireless technologies have not been updated with the latest science and that 5G is largely a marketing concept. They also expressed concern that the FCC has a long history of being accountable to industry over the desires of communities and individuals.

Read More “New Hampshire Commission Studies 5G Technology Health and Environment Effects”

A joint lawsuit was won against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filed on July 30, 2020 by the Environmental Health Trust and the Children’s Health Defense for failure to protect human health and the environment by dismissing scientific evidence of harm from wireless radiation. The Petitioners challenged the FCC’s refusal to reevaluate and update their 24-year-old radiofrequency (RF) safety guidelines for existing and new telecommunications technologies.  This comes at a time when new lucrative 5G Spectrum is being auctioned and fast tracked in communities.  The lawsuit was won by the Petitioners (EHTrust, CDH and others) as per the DC Court of Appeals Decision on August 13, 2021. The Court stated, “Under this highly deferential standard of review, we find the Commission’s order arbitrary and capricious in its failure to respond to record evidence that exposure to RF radiation at levels below the Commission’s current limits may cause negative health effects unrelated to cancer.“ In the ruling the court returned this decision back to the FCC and ordered the FCC to reexamine its standards for wireless radiation exposure and provide a review of wireless harms that is compliant with the law for non-cancer harms. The decision could be appealed. Oral arguments were heard by the DC  Court of Appeals January 25,2021.

Earlier OTARD (Over the Air Reception Device) Petition Not Successful

Note that another Petition to Review an FCC ruling on wireless antenna placement on homes was filed Feb 26, 2021 by CHD ( CHD vs FCC OTARD) failed. The original FCC OTARD (Over-the air reception devices) ruling allows quick deployment of wireless in neighborhoods and rural areas without permits or notification that was previously required. It preempts sate and local zoning laws, homeowners associations and deed restrictions. For the first time it allows property owners to place antennas for wireless and data services to their neighbors, including 5G.  Scroll down to see the information and extensive testimony and references filed in the OTARD Petition. An Opening Brief was filed6/23/21.

Read More “Landmark Lawsuit Successful Against FCC for Failing to Reevaluate 5G and Wireless Safety”

Investigate Europe has written a series of comprehensive articles on 5G relating to health and the environment. They point out that 5G is a mass experiment. In their latest article, Real 5G issues overshadowed by Covid-19 conspiracy theories, they underscore that the critical discussion of health effects has been upstaged and buried with the current conspiracy theories about 5G causing COVID-19. Cell towers have even been destroyed by alleged conspiracy theorists.

Read More “5G Health Concerns Overshadowed by COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories”

Update 11/7/21

In another effort to “cut the red tape” and fast track deployment of 5G throughout cities in America, the Federal communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 on a new Declaratory Ruling  June 9, 2020, which will further limit local government control in the permitting and placement of 5G cell towers. Representative Anna Eshoo, along with 23 of 29 Democratic members of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce wrote a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to ask for a delay in voting on this measure this during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter states, “We are especially troubled by the burden responding to this Declaratory Ruling will place on local governments that are justifiably focused right now on combatting the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Likewise, we worry that if this Declaratory Ruling does not benefit from meaningful input from local governments, the result could undermine municipalities’ ability to balance their responsibilities to public safety and community design with their desire to ensure access to affordable wireless networks and the next generation services.”

Read More “Anna Eshoo with Congressional Members of House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ask FCC to Delay New 5G Declaratory Ruling”

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comments on expanding non-ionizing radiofrequency radiation (RF) human exposure safety limits for new wireless telecommunications equipment that will emit RF frequencies above 6 Gigahertz (GHz), that do not penetrate the body beyond the skin-  FCC Docket 19-226 Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields .  The new due date to submit comments has been extended from May 6 to June 17, 2020. This FCC Press Release to extend the deadline to June 17, 2020 for Comments on Human Exposure to EMF was filed May 15, 2020. The FCC public notice notes “We anticipate that interested parties will be able to use this time to develop complete, fully supported comments and reply comments, and acknowledge that parties can make ex parte presentations to introduce supplemental materials once the notice-and-reply comment cycle has closed.”

Read More “FCC Seeks Comments on New Human Exposure Safety Standards for 5G and Beyond Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields”

While enticing ads for 5G are increasingly ruling the airwaves, scientists, communities and organizations around the world are rising up to oppose 5G technology proposed on every street corner and in space. A candlelight vigil to protest 5G will be held December 20, 2020 with an International Stop 5G Protest to be held onMarch 20, 2020.

An  international effort has been launched to offer a reality check on 5G and educate others that this untested technology threatens our health, safety, property values, energy usage, weather forecasting, night sky viewing, privacy and security as well as the environment.  Industry lobbyists continue to push back on sensible regulation. Fiberoptic, wired and cabled technology are arguably safer, offer more protection and provide a clearer connection with much less long term risk.

Read More “Stop 5G International Protest Day 2020”

A Federal judge on August 9, 2019 provided some good news for Native American tribes as well as cities who are faced with pending applications for “small cell” towers. Many legal questions are swirling around, as communities join forces to fight the onslaught of “small cell” towers bringing us the promised and pervasive 5G for faster downloads anywhere. Health and environmental concerns are mounting as reports of 5G injury are appearing in the news. 5G has already appeared in space with tens of thousands more satellites planned. It has long been thought that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 prevents any legal way to fight these cell towers on health or environmental grounds. Some, like the NRDC, are challenging that notion and winning through a Federal policy act known as NEPA.

Read More “NRDC and Tribes Win NEPA Ruling to Fight 5G Neighborhood Small Cell Towers”

FCC Safety Guidelines Were Exceeded in Chicago Tribune Cell Phone Tests: New Lawsuit

The Chicago Tribune, in August 2019, investigated cell phone safety by testing 11 models of popular cell phones, both according to the manufacturers recommended distance from the head (5 to15 mm), as well as in a manner consistent with how they are used, i.e. close to the head. The accredited lab found that with some of the phones the levels exceeded the FCC guidelines both at recommended positions and in close proximity to the body.  A class action lawsuit was filed against Apple and Samsung  by a group of lawyers in California, Illinois and Iowa who state the manufacturers “intentionally misrepresented” the safety of these phones. The attorneys argue that numerous scientific publications

Read More “U.S. Phonegate? Cell Phone Safety Guidelines Exceeded in Study – Lawsuit Follows”

The East Idaho News reported on Nov 14, 2019, that the National Park Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to install about 500 indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi networks and cell towers throughout Yellowstone National Park’s developed areas for park visitors and employees. An SF Chronicle article Oct 20, 2019 notes this is part of a push to “modernize” the nations campgrounds. The article states, “The heart of the proposal is to hand some campground operations over to concessionaires and modernize them. The Sierra Club opposes that and said that concessionaires could transform national parks into “profit centers.” Sequoia National Park is also getting its first cell tower, however, not everyone is pleased.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) commented in 2017 as well. In an article, Group Cries Foul Over Cell Service Expansion in National Parks, the author writes, “Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) said in its Oct. 30 letter to Mary Kendall, deputy inspector general for the U.S. Department of Interior, that Yosemite National Park is the latest national park in America to allow cellphone towers to be built without adequate government or public oversight. “Not only is this a helluva way to run a railroad, but Yosemite does not even know who owns the trains,” Jeff Ruch, executive director of PEER, said. He said there’s a tendency of many national park superintendents to “ensure every square inch of their park has a strong 4G signal, thus creating conflict between connectivity and serenity in remote corners of wired parks.

Updated 8/14/23

Digital Wireless Devices and Nature: De-stressing or Distracting America?

The National Park service page invites you to “Experience Your America”, however, if you wish for you and your children to have an undistracted and stress reducing experience in the great outdoors, you may soon not have a choice. The science of

Read More “Should Yellowstone Have 484 New Cell Towers? Comments due Nov 29, 2019”