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For Your Safety
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 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 Radio Frequency (RF) energy.
The FDA has been a leading participant in the World Health Organization International
Electro Magnetic 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.
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