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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, 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
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