User's Manual

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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