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Emergency Services and Safety Precautions
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.
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 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 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