170
Safety
What research is neede d to decide whether RF
exposure from wireless phon es poses a health
risk?
A combination of laboratory studies and epide miological studies of
people actually using wireless phones would provide so me of the
data that are needed. Lifetime animal exposure studies co uld 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 ca n provide data that
is directly applicable to human populations, but 10 or more years’
follow-up may be needed to provide answers about som e health
effects, such as cancer. This is because the interval bet ween the
time of exposure to a cancer-causing agent and the time tum ors
develop—if they do—m ay be many, many years. The interpretation
of epidemiological studies is hampered by difficulties in measuring
actual RF exposure during day-to-day use of wireles s phones. Many
factors affect this measurement, such as the angle at which t he phone
is held, or which model of phone is used.
What is FDA doing to find out more about t he
possible health effe cts of wireless phone RF?
FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology Program an d with
groups of investigators around the world to ensure that high priorit y
animal studies are conducted to address important q uestions about
the effects of exposure to radiofrequency energy (RF).
FDA has been a leading participant in the World Healt h Organization
International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF ) Project since its
inception in 1996. An influential result of this wo rk has been the
development of a detailed agenda of research needs that has driven
the establishment of new research programs around the wor ld.
The Project has also helped develop a series of public infor mation
documents on EMF issues.
I
I