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 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.
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 (RF) energy.
The FDA has been a leading participant in
the World Health Organization
International Electro Magnetic 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
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