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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
3
compared.
2 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
4
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 associated with use of mobile phones. FDA
continues to work with all parties, including other federal
agencies and industry, to assure that research is undertaken
to provide the necessary answers to the outstanding
questions about the safety of mobile phones.
What is known about cases of human cancer that
have been reported in users of hand-held mobile
phones?
Some people who have used mobile phones have been
diagnosed with brain cancer. But it is important to understand
that this type of cancer also occurs among people who have
not used mobile phones. In fact, brain cancer occurs in the
U.S. population at a rate of about 6 new cases per 100,000
people each year. At that rate, assuming 80 million users of
mobile phones (a number increasing at a rate of about 1
million per month), about 4800 cases of brain cancer would be
expected each year among those 80 million people, whether
or not they used their phones. Thus it is not possible to tell
whether any individual's cancer arose because of the phone,
or whether it would have happened anyway. A key question is
whether the risk of getting a particular form of cancer is
greater among people who use mobile phones than among
the rest of the population. One way to answer that question is
to compare the usage of mobile phones among people with
brain cancer with the use of mobile phones among
appropriately matched people without brain cancer. This is
called a case-control study. The current case-control study of
brain cancers by the National Cancer Institute, as well as the
follow-up research to be sponsored by industry, will begin to
generate this type of information.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of
mobile phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-
emitting consumer products such as mobile phones before
marketing, as it does with new drugs or medical devices.
However, the agency has authority to take action if mobile
phones are shown to emit radiation at a level that is
hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require the
manufacturers of mobile phones to notify users of the health
hazard and to repair, replace or recall the phones so that the
hazard no longer exists.
Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA
regulatory actions at this time, FDA has urged the mobile
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