LG VELVET LM-G900UM - Page 173

For Your Safety 172
5. What research is needed to decide whether RF exposure
from wireless devices poses a health risk?
A combination of laboratory studies and epidemiological studies of people
actually using wireless devices 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 years. The interpretation of
epidemiological studies is hampered by difficulties in measuring actual RF exposure
during day-to-day use of wireless devices. Many factors affect this measurement,
such as the angle at which the device is held, or which model of device is used.
6. What is the FDA doing to find out more about the
possible health effects of wireless device 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influential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device
safety. The FDA provides the scientific oversight, obtaining input from experts
ingovernment,industry,andacademicorganizations.CTIAfundedresearchis
conducted through contracts with independent investigators. The initial research
willincludebothlaboratorystudiesandstudiesofwirelessdeviceusers.TheCRADA
will also include a broad assessment of additional research needs in the context of
the latest research developments around the world.