User's Manual

142
SAFETY
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 long-term 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 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.
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