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had been genetically engineered
or treated with cancer causing
chemicals so as to be pre-
disposed to develop cancer in the
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 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
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