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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 ten 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.
6. What is the FDA doing to find
out more about the possible
health effects 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 effects of
exposure to Radio Frequency (RF)
energy.
The FDA has been a leading
participant in the World Health
Organization International Electro
Magnetic Fields (EMF) Project
since its inception in 1996. An
influential 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