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5. What research is needed to
decide whether RF exposure
from wireless phones poses a
health risk?
Acombination 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, 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 10 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 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 radiofrequency
energy (RF). The FDA has been a
leading participant in the World
Health Organization International
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