Old cell phone fears surface amid new Washington fight

The wireless industry is yet again hearing concerns about the safety of cell phones, but it’s not about their impact on mental health or the dangers of texting while driving. This time, it’s about cell phones’ impact on the human body as conveyed by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sound familiar? Concerns about cell phones and cancer go back decades, but they’re not going away. Sec. Kennedy said that he’s “very concerned” about electromagnetic radiation from 5G cell phone towers and that, generally speaking, “electromagnetic radiation is a major health concern.” These statements came a day after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly removed language from webpages that said cell phones aren’t dangerous. At the same time, HHS is launching a new study about the impact of cell phones. “The FDA removed webpages with old conclusions about cell phone radiation while HHS undertakes a study on electromagnetic radiation and health research to identify gaps in knowledge, including on new technologies, to ensure safety and efficacy,” said HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon. “The study was directed by President Trump’s [Make America Healthy Again] Commission in its strategy report.”