Health and Safety Information 116
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.
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 radio frequency energy (RF).
FDA has been a leading participant in
the World Health Organization
international Electromagnetic Fields
(EMF) Project since its inception in 1996.
u320.book Page 116 Friday, April 9, 2010 4:44 PM