A Governance Crisis, Not a Gadget Problem
America’s wireless ecosystem faces a hidden crisis—not one solved by gimmicks or miracle products, but through fundamental regulatory reforms. At its heart, this crisis revolves around outdated federal regulations, specifically Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act and the neglected mandates of Public Law 90-602, both of which have created a governance vacuum, stifling local democracy and endangering public health.
Section 704: Silencing Local Voices
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 includes Section 704, a provision that bars local governments from regulating the placement of wireless infrastructure based on health concerns. This effectively silences community voices, preventing cities and towns from acting against the placement of cell towers near schools, homes, and public spaces, even when legitimate health concerns are present.
Critical consequences of Section 704 include:
- Local zoning hearings that cannot address health risks
- Automatic approvals if local governments fail to meet stringent deadlines
- Community frustration and helplessness as towers proliferate unchecked
Repealing Section 704 would restore local authority, empower communities, and allow transparent, science-driven decision-making regarding wireless infrastructure.
Public Law 90-602: An Ignored Mandate
Enacted in 1968, Public Law 90-602 (Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act) mandates continuous federal oversight of radiation-emitting electronic products. Despite clear legislative intent, critical aspects of this law have been neglected:
- The EPA’s radiation division was defunded simultaneously with the enactment of Section 704.
- The National Toxicology Program’s groundbreaking research, revealing a “clear evidence” link between cell phone radiation and cancer, has been ignored, with follow-up research unfunded.
- FCC safety standards remain unchanged since 1996, despite overwhelming scientific evidence indicating serious non-thermal biological effects.
Reviving Public Law 90-602 involves no new legislation, merely enforcement of existing mandates to protect public health.
Judicial Recognition: Environmental Health Trust v. FCC (2021)
In 2021, the D.C. Circuit Court ruled that the FCC had failed to provide a valid rationale for maintaining outdated exposure limits, mandating the agency reconsider evidence of long-term and cumulative RF exposure, particularly concerning children’s health. Three years later, the FCC has yet to comply adequately with this judicial order.
The Invisible Costs of the Wireless Mesh
Wireless infrastructure has expanded dramatically, with every device adding to cumulative RF exposure, creating an unseen “biological smog.” This hidden public-health toll includes:
- DNA damage from chronic low-level exposure
- Calcium channel activation causing oxidative stress and neurological disorders
- Increasing prevalence of autism, fertility issues, and chronic health conditions linked to sustained exposure
These costs remain unaccounted for in public policy and economic calculations, externalized onto individuals and communities.
Misguided Solutions: Avoiding the Snake Oil Trap
Numerous market products promise protection from RF exposure, yet many lack scientific validation:
- “Protective” stickers and pendants offering placebo effects but no real shielding
Real solutions prioritize measurable, scientifically validated shielding methods, such as proper shielding materials, reducing exposure through wired technology, and public policy changes reducing environmental RF exposure.
The Clean Ether Blueprint: Li-Fi and Fiber
Li-Fi technology, utilizing modulated LED light to transmit data, presents a viable alternative to traditional microwave-based wireless solutions:
- Eliminates indoor microwave exposure
- Enhances data security due to its inability to penetrate walls
- Easily integrated into existing lighting infrastructure, proving cost-effective and efficient
Pairing Li-Fi with municipal fiber networks provides comprehensive broadband coverage, disproving claims that wireless towers are the only feasible solution for rural connectivity.
Policy Steps: Introducing the Clean Ether Act of 2025
The Clean Ether Act proposes tangible legislative reforms to address RF exposure risks:
- Repeal Section 704: Empower local governance to manage wireless infrastructure based on health criteria.
- Enforce Public Law 90-602: Restore EPA oversight and mandate continuous research on RF health impacts.
- Update FCC Limits: Comply with judicial orders to establish precautionary, science-based exposure standards.
- Federal Li-Fi Mandate: Require Li-Fi implementation in schools and government buildings.
- Transparency Initiatives: Public RF exposure mapping and mandatory industry disclosure of antenna emissions.
- Externality Fee: Small levy on RF emissions funding independent health research.
- Consumer Labeling Reform: Accurate, comprehensive SAR labeling for consumer electronics.
- Building Biology Incentives: Tax credits for implementing RF-safe building materials and wired internet infrastructure.
A Path Forward
Addressing America’s wireless safety crisis requires more than awareness—it demands actionable policy reform grounded in scientific integrity and democratic accountability. The Clean Ether Act provides a comprehensive framework, ensuring technological progress does not come at the expense of public health and constitutional rights. By embracing a science-first approach and empowering communities, we reclaim a safer, healthier future for all.