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locations in atoms and molecules. It can
permanently damage biological tissues including
DNA, the genetic material.
The energy levels associated with radio
frequency energy, including both radio waves
and microwaves, are not great enough to cause
ionization of atoms and molecules. Therefore, RF
energy is a type of non-ionizing radiation. Other
types of non-ionizing radiation include visible
light, infrared radiation (heat), and other forms of
electromagnetic radiation with relatively low
frequencies.
While RF energy does not ionize particles, large
amounts can increase body temperatures and
cause tissue damage. Two areas of the body, the
eyes and the testes, are particularly vulnerable to
RF heating because there is relatively little blood
flow in them to carry away excess heat.
Research Results to Date: Is there a
connection between RF and certain health
problems?
The results of most studies conducted to date
say no. In addition, attempts to replicate and
confirm the few studies that have shown a
connection have failed.
The scientific community at large therefore
believes that the weight of scientific evidence
does not show an association between exposure
to Radio Frequency (RF) from cell phones and
adverse health outcomes. Still the scientific
community has supported additional research to
address gaps in knowledge. Some of these
studies are described below.
Interphone Study
Interphone is a large international study
designed to determine whether cell phones
increase the risk of head and neck cancer. A
report published in the International Journal of
Epidemiology (June, 2010) compared cell phone
usage for more than 5,000 people with brain
tumors (glioma and meningioma) and a similar
number of healthy controls.
Results of this study did NOT show that cell
phones caused brain cancer. In this study, most
people had no increased risk of brain cancer
from using cell phones. For people with the
heaviest use of cell phones (an average of more
than ½ hour per day, every day, for over 10
years) the study suggested a slight increase in
brain cancer. However, the authors determined
that biases and errors prevented any conclusions
being drawn from this data. Additional
information about Interphone can be found at
http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2010/pdfs/
pr200_E.pdf.
Interphone is the largest cell phone study to
date, but it did not answer all questions about
cell phone safety. Additional research is being
conducted around the world, and the FDA
continues to monitor developments in this field.
Health and Safety Information
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