WASHINGTON, Jan 17, 2026, 02:58 EST
- HHS announced plans to start a study on cellphone radiation following pressure from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reevaluate the safety concerns
- An HHS spokesman confirmed the FDA has taken down older webpages that claimed phones were not dangerous
- Health agencies have consistently maintained that there’s no credible proof connecting cellphone radiation to cancer, even as research presses on
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is set to initiate a study on cellphone radiation following Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call to reexamine potential risks like neurological damage and cancer, an agency spokesman confirmed. 1
This move is significant as it marks a change in how the federal government communicates about a technology that millions use every day. It also has the potential to reignite debates over exposure limits and consumer safety warnings.
This comes as states and school districts seek new methods to limit children’s phone usage, while the White House pushes its “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which is redefining public health priorities.
HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon explained that the FDA removed webpages containing “old conclusions” as the department starts a wider review of “electromagnetic radiation and health research” to pinpoint knowledge gaps, particularly concerning newer technologies.
“The study was led by President Trump’s MAHA Commission as outlined in its strategy report,” Nixon added.
Several federal health websites continue to state that no evidence has confirmed a connection between phone use and disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, current research indicates that using cellphones does not lead to brain or other cancers in humans.
In an interview with USA Today, Kennedy described electromagnetic radiation as “a major health concern” and expressed that he was “very concerned” about 5G towers, according to a snippet from the report. 2
Researchers examining the topic acknowledge the evidence is inconsistent, noting that debates about radiofrequency exposure have been ongoing for years. Kenneth Foster, a professor emeritus of bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, described it as a “complex subject” to Scientific American. 3
Radiofrequency waves, which are low-energy radiation carrying wireless signals, have been under investigation for decades. Back in 2011, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency labeled them as “possibly carcinogenic.” However, they haven’t found a direct causal link, and studies involving humans have yielded mixed findings.
Foster highlighted a more pressing concern unrelated to cancer. “There’s stronger evidence linking cognitive effects to cell phone use and excessive screen time,” he noted. He also warned, “Don’t text while driving!”
Yet the new study might head off in various directions. If its design is too narrow or the findings aren’t clear, it could stir up more confusion than insight — and stoke public fears about 5G and other wireless technologies without altering the core scientific understanding.
HHS hasn’t shared specifics on the scope, timeline, or leadership of the effort. Nixon explained the goal is to chart existing knowledge, highlight gaps, and evaluate if emerging wireless technologies alter the risk landscape.
