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Health and safety information
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 ten
or more years' follow-up 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 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
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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.
What is FDA doing to find out more
about the possible health effects of
wireless phone RF?
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 energy (RF).
FDA has been a leading participant in the
World Health Organization international
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project since
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