Filter
Top Products
81
of
es.
of
or
d
he
t
’t
f
d
ain
ic
ry
However, none of the studies can answer
questions about longterm 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
e ect 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
e ects, 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 di culties in
measuring actual RF exposure during
day-to-day use of wireless phones. Many
factors a ect this measurement, such as
the angle at which the phone is held, or
which model of phone is used.
6. What is the FDA doing to nd out
more about the possible health e ects
of wireless phone RF?
The FDA is working with the U.S.
National Toxicology Program and
with groups of investigators around
the world to ensure that high priority
animal studies are conducted to address
important questions about the e ects of
exposure to radiofrequency energy (RF).
The FDA has been a leading participant
in the World Health Organization
International Electromagnetic Fields
(EMF) Project since its inception in
1996. An in uential result of this
work has been the development of
a detailed agenda of research needs
that has driven the establishment of
new research programs around the
world. The project has also helped
develop a series of public information
documents on EMF issues. The FDA
and the Cellular Telecommunications &
Internet Association (CTIA) have a formal
Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) to do research on
wireless phone safety. The FDA provides
the scienti c oversight, obtaining
input from experts in government,
industry, and academic organizations.
CTIAfunded research is conducted
through contracts with independent
investigators. The initial research
will include both laboratory studies
and studies of wireless phone users.