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Health and safety information
What are the results of the research done already?
The research done thus far has produced conflicting
results, and many studies have suffered from flaws in their
research methods. Animal experiments investigating
the effects of radio frequency energy (RF) exposures
characteristic of wireless phones have yielded conflicting
results that often cannot be repeated in other laboratories.
A few animal studies, however, have suggested that low
levels of RF could accelerate the development of cancer
in laboratory animals. However, many of the studies that
showed increased tumor development used animals
that had been genetically engineered or treated with
cancer-causing chemicals so as to be pre-disposed to
develop cancer in absence of RF exposure. Other studies
exposed the animals to RF for up to 22 hours per day.
These conditions are not similar to the conditions under
which people use wireless phones, so we don't know
with certainty what the results of such studies mean for
human health.
Three large epidemiology studies have been published
since December 2000. Between them, the studies
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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 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, 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. 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 information
documents on EMF issues.
FDA and Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association (CTIA) have a formal Cooperative Research
and Development Agreement (CRADA) to do research
on wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in government,
industry, and academic organizations. CTIA-funded
research is conducted through contracts to independent
investigators. The initial research will include both
laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users.
The CRADA will also include a broad assessment of
additional research needs in the context of the latest
research developments around the world.
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