Siemens MC60 User Manual page 65

of MC60 Maguro, kurz, am, A31008-H5760-A40-1-4A19 (08.08.2003, 12:31)
right page (65)
2. Researchers conducted a large
battery of laboratory tests to assess
the effects of exposure to mobile
phone RF on genetic material. These
included tests for several kinds of
abnormalities, including mutations,
chromosomal aberrations, DNA
strand breaks, and structural
changes in the genetic material of
blood cells called lymphocytes. None
of the tests showed any effect of the
RF except for the micronucleus
assay, which detects structural
effects on the genetic material. The
cells in this assay showed changes
after exposure to simulated cell
phone radiation, but only after 24
hours of exposure. It is possible that
exposing the test cells to radiation
for this long resulted in heating.
Since this assay is known to be
sensitive to heating, heat alone
could have caused the abnormalities
to occur. The data already in the
literature on the response of the
micronucleus assay to RF are
conflicting. Thus follow-up research
is necessary.
FDA is currently working with
government, industry, and academic
groups to ensure the proper follow-
up to these industry-funded research
findings. Collaboration with the
Cellular Telecommunications
Internet Association (CTIA) in
particular is expected to lead to FDA
providing research
recommendations and scientific
2
U.S. FDA
oversight of new CTIA-funded
research based on such
recommendations.
Two other studies of interest have
been reported recently in the
literature:
• Two groups of 18 people were
exposed to simulated mobile
phone signals under laboratory
conditions while they performed
cognitive function tests. There
were no changes in the subjects'
ability to recall words, numbers,
or pictures, or in their spatial
memory, but they were able to
make choices more quickly in one
visual test when they were
exposed to simulated mobile
phone signals. This was the only
change noted among more than
20 variables compared.
• In a study of 209 brain tumor
cases and 425 matched controls,
there was no increased risk of
brain tumors associated with
mobile phone use. When tumors
did exist in certain locations,
however, they were more likely to
be on the side of the head where
the mobile phone was used.
Because this occurred in only a
small number of cases, the
increased likelihood was too small
to be statistically significant.
In summary, we do not have enough
information at this point to assure
the public that there are, or are not,
any low incident health problems
65
3
4