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FDA has been a leading participant in the World Health Organization
international Electromagnetic 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.
FDA and Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) have
a formal Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to
do research on wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in government, industry, and
academic organizations. CTIA-funded research is conducted through
contracts to independent investigators. The initial research will include
both laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users. The CRADA
will also include a broad assessment of additional research needs in the
context of the latest research developments around the world.
What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radio frequency
energy from my wireless phone?
If there is a risk from these products - and at this point we do not know
that there is - it is probably very small. But if you are concerned about
avoiding even potential risks, you can take a few simple steps to minimize
your exposure to radio frequency energy (RF). Since time is a key factor
in how much exposure a person receives, reducing the amount of time
spent using a wireless phone will reduce RF exposure.
"If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless phone
every day, you could place more distance between your body and
the source of the RF, since the exposure level drops off
dramatically with distance. For example, you could use a headset
and carry the wireless phone away from your body or use a
wireless phone connected to a remote antenna.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless phones are
harmful. But if you are concerned about the RF exposure from these
products, you can use measures like those described above to reduce
your RF exposure from wireless phone use.
What about children using wireless phones?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless
phones, including children and teenagers. If you want to take steps to
lower exposure to radio frequency energy (RF), the measures described
above would apply to children and teenagers using wireless phones.
Reducing the time of wireless phone use and increasing the distance
between the user and the RF source will reduce RF exposure.
Some groups sponsored by other national governments have advised that
children be discouraged from using wireless phones at all. For example,
the government in the United Kingdom distributed leaflets containing such
a recommendation in December 2000. They noted that no evidence exists
that using a wireless phone causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their
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