Table of Contents
Advertisement
5. What research is needed to decide whether RF
exposure from wireless phones poses a health
r i s k ?
Acombination 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 years follow-up may be
needed to provide answers about some health eff e c t s ,
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 FDAdoing to find out more about the
possible health effects of wireless phone RF?
The FDA is working with the U.S. National To x i c o l o g y
Program and with groups of investigators around the
world to ensure that high priority animal studies are
conducted to address important questions about the
e ffects of exposure to radiofrequency energy (RF).
The FDA has been a leading participant in the Wo r l d
111
Advertisement
Table of Contents
