EMFSA September 2025 Newsletter: RFK Jr. warns about Wi-Fi and 5G — so why push for wearables? In this issue, we explore a striking contradiction: while U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. has publicly raised concerns about Wi-Fi, 5G, and cell phones, he is promoting a nationwide rollout of wearable health devices. From questions about RF exposure and wireless safety standards to issues of privacy, surveillance, and ethics, this policy push raises more questions than answers.
Electromagnetic Safety and Exposure Guidelines
We look at two recent studies on electromagnetic exposure: one highlights potential risks for people with conductive implants, showing that local field enhancements may exceed current safety limits, and another examines exposure from military vehicular antennas, finding that while reference levels are sometimes exceeded, basic safety restrictions are generally met.
For a detailed discussion and analysis of these findings, see the EMFSA September 2025 Newsletter.
Summaries are based on Open Access research under Creative Commons licenses.
Digital Planetary Health and Generative AI
We highlight a recent perspective article by Deborah Lupton (Health Promotion International, 26 September 2025) exploring the impacts of generative AI on human and planetary health. The article emphasizes how AI infrastructure contributes to e-waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource use, while also reviewing proposals for AI to aid climate, biodiversity, and pollution action. Actions at organizational and community levels are suggested to reduce harm. Read the full article at https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf153 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Biomedical Engineer’s Pledge: Ethics in Action
Explore how the Biomedical Engineer’s Pledge promotes patient safety, sustainability, and global health equity. According to Ivorra et al. (2025), it sets a standard for ethical responsibility in the profession. Read more at https://mailchi.mp/emfsa/emfsa-september-2025-newsletter
Only Shine the Light Where and When It Is Needed
Artificial light at night (ALAN) harms human health, wildlife, and wastes energy. In this newsletter, we concur with the authors who warn against waiting decades—as with tobacco exposure—before taking meaningful action to protect health and the environment.
Bacterial Adaptation to RF-EMF
Bacteria exposed to Wi-Fi and mobile phone signals may develop antibiotic resistance and other defensive traits, potentially affecting treatment effectiveness. Understanding these changes is important for public health.
Link to the EMFSA September 2025 Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/emfsa/emfsa-september-2025-newsletter
Read more Bacterial Resistance and Cell Phones https://www.emfsa.co.za/news/bacterial-resistance-cell-phones/
EMFSA logo – spotlighting our September 2025 Newsletter