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changes after exposure to simulated cell
phone radiation, but only after 24 hours of
exposure. It is possible that exposing the test
cells to radiation for this long resulted in
heating. Since this assay is known to be
sensitive to heating, heat alone could have
caused the abnormalities to occur. The data
already in the literature on the response of
the micronucleus assay to RF are conflicting.
Thus, follow-up research is necessary.2
FDA is currently working with government, industry,
and academic groups to ensure the proper follow-
up to these industry-funded research findings.
Collaboration with the Cellular Telecommunications
Industry Association (CTIA) in particular is
expected to lead to FDA providing research
recommendations and scientific oversight of new
CTIA-funded research based on such
recommendations.
Two other studies of interest have been reported
recently in the literature:
1. Two groups of 18 people were exposed to
simulated mobile phone signals under
laboratory conditions while they performed
cognitive function tests. There were no
changes in the subjects' ability to recall
words, numbers, or pictures, or in their
spatial memory, but they were able to make
choices more quickly in one visual test when
they were exposed to simulated mobile
phone signals. This was the only change
noted among more than 20 variables
compared.3
2. In a study of 209 brain tumor cases and 425
matched controls, there was no increased
risk of brain tumors associated with mobile
phone use. When tumors did exist in certain
locations, however, they were more likely to
be on the side of the head where the mobile
phone was used.