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3. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?
The term “wireless phone” refers here to handheld wireless phones
with built-in antennas, often called “cell”, “mobile”, or “PCS”
phones. These types of wireless phones can expose the user to
measurable radiofrequency energy (RF) because of the short
distance between the phone and the user’s head.
These RF exposures are limited by FCC safety guidelines that were
developed with the advice of the FDA and other federal health and
safety agencies. When the phone is located at greater distances
from the user, the exposure to RF is drastically lower because a
person's RF exposure decreases rapidly with increasing distance
from the source. The so-called “cordless phones,” which have a
base unit connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typically
operate at far lower power levels, and thus produce RF exposures
far below the FCC safety limits.
4. What are the results of the research done already?
The research done thus far has produced conflicting results, and
many studies have suffered from flaws in their research methods.
Animal experiments investigating the effects of radiofrequency
energy (RF) exposures characteristic of wireless phones have
yielded conflicting results that often cannot be repeated in other
laboratories. A few animal studies, however, have suggested that
low levels of RF could accelerate the development of cancer in
laboratory animals. However, many of the studies that showed
increased tumor development used animals that had been
genetically engineered or treated with cancer-causing chemicals so
as to be pre-disposed to develop cancer in the absence of RF
exposure. Other studies exposed the animals to RF for up to 22
hours per day. These conditions are not similar to the conditions
under which people use wireless phones, so we don’t know with
certainty what the results of such studies mean for human health.
Three large epidemiology studies have been published since
December 2000. Between them, the studies investigated any possible
association between the use of wireless phones and primary brain
cancer, glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma, tumors of the
brain or salivary gland, leukemia, or other cancers. None of the
studies demonstrated the existence of any harmful health effects
from wireless phone RF exposures. However, none of the studies can
answer questions about long-term exposures, since the average
period of phone use in these studies was around three years.
5. What research is needed to decide whether RF exposure
from wireless phones poses a health risk?
A combination of laboratory studies and epidemiological studies of
people actually using wireless phones would provide some of the
data that are needed. Lifetime animal exposure studies could be
completed in a few years. However, very large numbers of animals
would be needed to provide reliable proof of a cancer promoting
effect if one exists. Epidemiological studies can provide data that is
directly applicable to human populations, but 10 or more years
follow-up may be needed to provide answers about some health
effects, such as cancer. This is because the interval between the
time of exposure to a cancer-causing agent and the time tumors
develop — if they do — may be many, many years. The
interpretation of epidemiological studies is hampered by difficulties
in measuring actual RF exposure during day-to-day use of wireless
phones.
Many factors affect this measurement, such as the angle at which
the phone is held, or which model of phone is used.
Safety
Safety
LX5550(E)-USC.QXD 04/2/26 10:17 AM Page 128