LMK300WM User Manual

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For Your Safety 134

5. What research is needed to decide whether RF exposure

from wireless devices poses a health risk?

A combination of laboratory studies and epidemiological studies of people

actually using wireless devices 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 devices. Many factors affect

this measurement, such as the angle at which the device is held, or which model of

device is used.

6. What is the FDA doing to find out more about the

possible health effects of wireless device 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. The project has also helped develop a

seriesofpublicinformationdocumentsonEMFissues.TheFDAandtheCellular

Telecommunications&InternetAssociation(CTIA)haveaformalCooperative

ResearchandDevelopmentAgreement(CRADA)todoresearchonwirelessdevice

safety. The FDA provides the scientific oversight, obtaining input from experts

ingovernment,industry,andacademicorganizations.CTIAfundedresearchis

conducted through contracts with independent investigators. The initial research

willincludebothlaboratorystudiesandstudiesofwirelessdeviceusers.TheCRADA

will also include a broad assessment of additional research needs in the context of

the latest research developments around the world.

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User Manual - Page 135