Institute is expected to bear on the accuracy and repeatability of
these results.
1
Researchers conducted a large battery of laboratory tests to
assess the effects of exposure to mobile phone RF on genetic
material. These included tests for several kinds of abnormalities,
including mutations, chromosomal aberrations, DNA strand
breaks, and structural changes in the genetic material of blood
cells called lymphocytes. None of the tests showed any effect of
the RF except for the micronucleus assay, which detects structural
effects on the genetic material. The cells in this assay showed
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, fol-
low-up research is necessary.
2
FDA is currently working with government, industry, and aca-
demic groups to ensure the proper follow-up to these industry-
funded research findings. Collaboration with the Cellular Tele-
communications and Internet 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:
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 vari-
ables compared.
3
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
To Next Page
Loading...