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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 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.
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 radiofrequency
energy (RF). The FDA has been a
leading participant in the World
Health Organization International
Safety Guidelines