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18
Safety Guidelines
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 longterm 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 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 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
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
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.
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