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Two other studies of interest have been reported recently in the
literature:
Two groups of 18 people were exposed to simulated mobile phone
signals under laboratory conditions while they performed cognitive
function tests. There were no changes in the subjects’ ability to recall
words, numbers, or pictures, or in their spatial memory, but they were
able to make choices more quickly in one visual test when they were
exposed to simulated mobile phone signals. This was the only change
noted among more than 20 variables compared.
3. In a study of 209 brain tumor cases and 425 matched controls,
there was no increased risk of brain tumors associated with mobile
phone use. When tumors did exist in certain locations, however, they
were more likely to be on the side of the head where the mobile
phone was used. Because this occurred in only a small number of
cases, the increased likelihood was too small to be statistically
significant.
4. In summary, we do not have enough information at this point to
assure the public that there are, or are not, any low incident health
problems associated with use of mobile phones. FDA continues to
work with all parties, including other federal agencies and industry, to
assure that research is undertaken to provide the necessary answers
to the outstanding questions about the safety of mobile phones.
What is known about cases of human cancer that have been reported
in users of hand-held mobile phones?
Some people who have used mobile phones have been diagnosed
with brain cancer. But it is important to understand that this type of
cancer also occurs among people who have not used mobile phones.
In fact, brain cancer occurs in the U.S. population at a rate of about 6
new cases per 100,000 people each year. At that rate, assuming 80
million users of mobile phones (a number increasing at a rate of about
1 million per month), about 4800 cases of brain cancer would be
expected each year among those 80 million people, whether or not
they used their phones. Thus it is not possible to tell whether any
individual’s cancer arose because of the phone, or whether it would
have happened anyway. A key question is whether the risk of getting
a particular form of cancer is greater among people who use mobile
phones than among the rest of the population.
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Safety Guidelines
One way to answer that question is to compare the usage of mobile
phones among people with brain cancer with the use of mobile phones
among appropriately matched people without brain cancer. This is
called a case-control study. The current case-control study of brain
cancers by the National Cancer Institute, as well as the follow-up
research to be sponsored by industry, will begin to generate this type
of information.
What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of mobile phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting
consumer products such as mobile phones before marketing, as it
does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if mobile phones are shown to emit radiation at
a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require
the manufacturers of mobile phones to notify users of the health
hazard and to repair, replace, or recall the phones so that the hazard
no longer exists.
Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA regulatory
actions at this time, FDA has urged the mobile phone industry to take a
number of steps to assure public safety. The agency has
recommended that the industry support needed research into possible
biological effects of RF of the type emitted by mobile phones, design
mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user
that is not necessary for device function, and cooperate in providing
mobile phone users with the best possible information on what is
known about possible effects of mobile phone use on human health.
At the same time, FDA belongs to an interagency working group of
the federal agencies that have responsibility for different aspects of
mobile phone safety to ensure a coordinated effort at the federal
level. These agencies are:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Communications Commission
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health also participates in this group.
In the absence of conclusive information about any possible risk,
what can concerned individuals do?