Montgomery County Maryland Executive Marc Elrich Calls for Credible Review of Wireless Safety Standards
Excerpts from April 2, 2021 Letter
“Telecommunications Technology
Radio frequency (RF) and small cell standards. Request responsibility for setting RF
standards be transferred from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -– a regulatory
agency- to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) –– a standards setting body.
Direct NIST to complete a review of credible published papers on the health effects of RF
emissions on humans, including women and children, and tests to measure biological impact on
humans, and thermal and biological tests of RF at different frequencies within 6 months. Further
direct NIST to create and update thermal and biological standards for smart phones, small cells,
and household Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices within 2 years and
review and update standards every 5 years thereafter.”
