38 NEXUS 4 QUICK START GUIDE
NEXUS 4 QUICK START GUIDE 39
yielded conicting results that often cannot be repeated in other
laboratories. A few animal studies, however, have suggested that
low levels of RF could accelerate the development of cancer in
laboratory animals. However, many of the studies that showed
increased tumor development used animals that had been
genetically engineered or treated with cancer causing chemicals
so as to be predisposed to develop cancer in the absence of RF
exposure. Other studies exposed the animals to RF for up to 22
hours per day. These conditions are not similar to the conditions
under which people use wireless phones, so we don’t know with
certainty what the results of 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
longterm exposures, since the average period of phone use in
these studies was around three years.
5. What research is needed to decide whether RF exposure from
wireless phones poses a health 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 diculties 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 nd 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 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 inuential 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 phone safety. The FDA provides the
scientic oversight, obtaining input from experts in government,
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