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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 do not 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 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.