Safety

 

such studies mean for human health. Three large

 

epidemiology studies have been 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.

Saf

5. What research is needed to decide whether RF

exposure from wireless phones poses a health

ety

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 radio frequency 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

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LG Electronics 8500 manual December 2000. Between them, the studies, Brain or salivary gland, leukemia, or other, Risk?