Under the Donald Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may re-evaluate policies related to the potential health risks of cell phone radiation and wireless signals, such as cancer—but research has not demonstrated such risks, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Timothy Rebbeck.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—the nominee for HHS secretary—has previously expressed concerns about cell phone safety, and it’s possible that, if confirmed, he would push for tighter regulations. But in a Dec. 10 Undark article, Rebbeck, Vincent L. Gregory, Jr. Professor of Cancer Prevention, said that studies have not found a connection between cell phone radiation and health issues. He explained that the types of radiation known to cause cancer—such as gamma rays and x-rays—have shorter wavelengths than those produced by cell phones.
“The best evidence is all pretty clear around cell phones right now, and I would make sure that the policy recommendations are not only based in science, but also don’t cause issues that are unnecessary,” he said.
Read the Undark article: In the Trump Administration Crosshairs: Cell Phone Radiation
Learn more
Cell phones don’t cause brain cancer: study (Harvard Chan School news)
No link found between brain cancer and cell phone use, experts say (Harvard Chan School news)
