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The FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) have a
formal Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to conduct
research on wireless phone 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 phone
users. The CRADA will also include a broad assessment of additional research
needs in the context of the latest research developments around the world.
6. 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 vital data. 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 ten or more years of follow-up research may be needed to
provide answers about certain health effects, such as cancer.
This is due to the interval between exposure time to a cancer-causing agent and the
rate for which tumors develop - if they do. This could take several years into the
future. The interpretation of epidemiological studies is hampered by difficulties 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.
7. What has the FDA done to measure the Radio Frequency energy coming
from wireless phones?
