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Health and safety information
None of the studies demonstrated the existence
of any harmful health effects from wireless
phones 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.
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,
48
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
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