U.S. Boosts EMF Research, UK Urged to Act

U.S. Advances EMF Research, UK Lags Behind

On September 11, 2025, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its Strategy Report on Childhood Chronic Disease and Environmental Health (DocumentCloud, 2025). For the first time, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) were formally acknowledged as an issue requiring cabinet-level attention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

While the MAHA Commission in the U.S. has finally placed EMFs on the national health agenda, it is a stark reminder that the UK has yet to take similar decisive action to protect children from the biological and neurological risks of wireless radiation.

This marks a turning point in public health policy, signalling a federal-level commitment to EMF research. The report commits HHS, together with other federal agencies, to undertake studies on EMFs and health, identify research gaps, and assess the safety and efficacy of emerging technologies. The Commission also recognised the urgent need for stronger research into the effects of digital technology on children’s mental health, particularly in relation to screen dependency and rising rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems.

Building on Our May 2025 Response

Earlier this year, the EM Radiation Research Trust (RRT) submitted a formal letter of response to the MAHA Commission (O’Connor, 29 May 2025). While welcoming the report’s focus on screen dependency and mental health, the RRT emphasised that it omitted one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle: the biological and neurological impacts of chronic RF/EMF exposure.

In that letter, we cited the work of Prof. Dr. Gertraud Teuchert-Noodt, a distinguished neurobiologist, who has shown how early smartphone and wireless exposure affects the developing prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and dopaminergic systems, impairing impulse control, memory, and resilience. This is not simply a behavioural issue, but a neurological one.

We also reminded the Commission that its Chair, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has himself spoken out forcefully on this issue. In 2020, alongside Children’s Health Defense, he supported the RRT’s call to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to halt 5G deployment (RRT & RFK Jr. 2020 Letter), warning of “the uncontrolled proliferation of wireless technology” and the resulting sickness of children, adults, and the ecosystem.

That history of advocacy underscores the significance of the Commission’s recognition of EMFs in its September 2025 report, highlighting a level of action the UK has yet to match.

Why EMFs Must Be Central to Child Health Policy

Chronic EMF exposure particularly at night, during sleep, and in close contact with the body has been linked to:

• Sleep disruption
• Oxidative stress and inflammation
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Impaired neurological development in children

Over 23,000 studies are documented on EMF-Portal, with thousands more compiled in the BioInitiative Report and other independent reviews, demonstrating consistent biological effects.

As Dr. Robert O. Becker, twice Nobel-nominated, warned:

“The greatest polluting element in the earth’s environment is the proliferation of electromagnetic fields… a far greater threat on a global scale than warming or chemicals.”

Bold action from HHS, FDA, and FCC is essential if we are to secure a healthy future.

To address childhood health crises fully, EMF exposure cannot remain a missing piece. It must be integrated into any comprehensive framework for protecting children’s mental and physical health. While the U.S. is beginning to take decisive steps, the UK continues to rely on outdated guidance and has yet to prioritise EMF research in child health policy an urgent gap that must be addressed to safeguard the next generation.

Next Steps and Recommendations

The EM Radiation Research Trust urges the following actions:

1. Inclusion of EMFs in National Health Frameworks, EMFs should be explicitly included alongside screen dependency, recognising their combined impact on children’s brains and wellbeing.
2. Independent Scientific Review, Commission new studies free from industry influence, engaging independent experts such as the Ramazzini Institute, Prof. Teuchert-Noodt, and Prof. Lennart Hardell, whose research has focused on mobile and cordless phone use and the risk of brain tumours. His work has contributed to cancer research and has been instrumental in understanding the potential health risks associated with EMF exposure.
3. Precautionary Action, Reduce children’s exposure in schools, bedrooms, and public spaces while research continues.
4. Public Awareness, Provide families with clear information on how to limit unnecessary exposure.
5. Acknowledgement of Prior Advocacy, Recognise that this issue has been consistently raised, including by the Commission’s own Chair, and ensure this history strengthens the urgency of current action.
6. UK Call to Action, Encourage the UK Government to follow the example of the MAHA Commission, updating national guidance and protecting children from both digital overload and RF/EMF radiation exposure.

Conclusion

The MAHA Commission’s decision to formally address electromagnetic radiation marks a long-awaited milestone. We are heartened to see this critical issue elevated to the highest level of U.S. public health policy, signalling a strong federal commitment to advancing research on EMF exposure and its potential health impacts.

While the U.S. moves forward, the UK must urgently follow suit, recognising that without timely intervention, children remain at risk from the combined neurological and environmental impacts of wireless radiation.

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