Filter
Top Products
Additional safety information
104
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 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 FDA doing to find out more about the possible health effects of
wireless phone RF?
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).