User Guide
113 Health & Safety
Health & Safety
Risk of Brain Cancer from Exposure to Radio Frequency Fields in Childhood and Adolescence (MOBI-KIDS)
MOBI-KIDS is an international study investigating the relationship between exposure to radio frequency energy from com-
munication technologies including cell phones and brain cancer in young people. This is an international multi-center study
involving 14 European and non-European countries. Additional information about MOBI-KIDS can be found at
http://www.creal.cat/programes-recerca/en_projectes-creal/view.php?ID=39.
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) actively follows cancer statistics in the United States to detect any change in rates of new
cases for brain cancer. If cell phones play a role in risk for brain cancer, rates should go up, because heavy cell phone use has
been common for quite some time in the U.S. Between 1987 and 2005, the overall age-adjusted incidence of brain cancer did
not increase. Additional information about SEER can be found at http://seer.cancer.gov/.
Cell Phone Industry Actions
Although the existing scientic data do not justify FDA regulatory actions, the FDA has urged the cell phone industry to take a
number of steps, including the following:
• Support-needed research on possible biological effects of RF for the type of signal emitted by cell phones;
• Design cell phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user; and
• Cooperate in providing users of cell phones with the current information on cell phone use and human health concerns.
The FDA also is working with voluntary standard-setting bodies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE), the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and others to assure that safety standards
continue to adequately protect the public.
Reducing Exposure: Hands-Free Kits and Other Accessories
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Radio Frequency Energy
If there is a risk from being exposed to radio frequency energy (RF) from cell phones - and at this point we do not know that
there is - it is probably very small. But, if you are concerned about avoiding even potential risks, you can take a few simple
steps to minimize your RF exposure.