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that 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 do not
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, 166 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
followup 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 cancercausing 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 FDA doing to find out more
about the possible health effects of
wireless phone RF?
The 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 (RF)
energy.
The FDA has been a leading participant in
the World Health Organization International
Electro Magnetic 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.
The FDA and the Cellular
Telecommunications & Internet Association
(CTIA) have a formal Cooperative Research
And Development Agreement (CRADA)
to do research on wireless phone safety.
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