WASHINGTON, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Environmental Health Trust (EHT) revealed that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hid test results showing that radiation exceeded federal limits when smartphones were in close proximity to the human body, such as in a pants pocket. The FCC apparently failed to disclose this information to the U.S Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

In 2019 the agency tested several Apple, Samsung, Blu and Motorola smartphone models.

The FCC test results were not public until September 29, 2023 when they were released to EHT, as a result of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The FCC FOIA letter states that for certain phones: "We observed that at a 2 mm separation distance, the FCC radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits were exceeded." 

EHT filed an appeal to the FCC as seven records were withheld from the FOIA response. The appeal has not been addressed.

In 2019, when the FCC conducted the tests, it also had an open rule-making regarding its 1996-era limits concerning human exposure to wireless radiation. The FCC's rule-making was followed by a federal court challenge, which resulted in the FCC and the Food and Drug Administration being subject to a court-ordered remand in August 2021.

"The FCC and FDA did not reveal these cell phone tests during the court case, and have yet to respond to the court-ordered remand, which is a matter of grave concern," said Kent Chamberlin, incoming president of EHT.

Theodora Scarato, EHT vice president for policy and education stated: "Why did the FCC perform these tests and then decide to not release the results to the public while it was conducting a rule-making on this very subject? Why did the FCC refuse to release all the records on this issue? It is outrageous that the U.S. allows phones to be tested with whatever separation distance the companies want. Phones should be tested the way they are used. Children and adults use and carry phones pressed to their body for hours every day. We need a strong oversight and compliance program, including post-market RF emission and health effect surveillance. It is time for a new approach to cell phone testing, one that reflects the way people use phones today."

The FOIA appeal and entire FCC FOIA response are available on EHT's website here: https://ehtrust.org/environmental-health-trust-foia-project/

About Environmental Health Trust

Environmental Health Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit scientific think tank that promotes a healthier environment through research, education and policy. EHT conducts cutting edge research on environmental health hazards and works with communities, health, education professionals and policymakers to understand and mitigate these hazards. 

The Environmental Health Trust had a favorable U.S. Court of Appeals judgment in their case against the FCC. EHT scientists testified in 2009 Senate hearings and 2008 congressional hearing on cell phone radiation- the last ever held. EHT scientists have continued to publish studies on the health effects of non -ionizing electromagnetic radiation and organized numerous national and international scientific conferences on the issue. EHT's scientific publications have been submitted to the FCC record as critical evidence. Visit www.ehtrust.org for more information.

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SOURCE Environmental Health Trust