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studies are conducted to address important
questions about the effects of exposure to radio
frequency energy (RF).
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.
FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications &
Internet Association (CTIA) have a formal
Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) to do research on wireless
phone safety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in
government, industry, and academic
organizations. CTIA-funded research is conducted
through contracts to 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.
5. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure
to radio frequency energy from my wireless
phone?
If there is a risk from these products—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 exposure to radio
frequency energy (RF). Since time is a key factor
in how much exposure a person receives, reducing
the amount of time spent using a wireless phone
will reduce RF exposure.
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If you must conduct extended conversations by
wireless phone every day, you could place more
distance between your body and the source of the
RF, since the exposure level drops off dramatically
with distance. For example, you could use a
headset and carry the wireless phone away from
your body or use a wireless phone connected to a
remote antenna
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that
wireless phones are harmful. But if you are
concerned about the RF exposure from these
products, you can use measures like those
described above to reduce your RF exposure from
wireless phone use.
6. What about children using wireless phones?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to
users of wireless phones, including children and
teenagers. If you want to take steps to lower
exposure to radio frequency energy (RF), the
measures described above would apply to children
and teenagers using wireless phones. Reducing
the time of wireless phone use and increasing the
distance between the user and the RF source will
reduce RF exposure.
Some groups sponsored by other national
governments have advised that children be
discouraged from using wireless phones at all. For
example, the government in the United Kingdom
distributed leaflets containing such a
recommendation in December 2000. They noted
that no evidence exists that using a wireless
phone causes brain tumors or other ill effects.
Their recommendation to limit wireless phone use
by children was strictly precautionary; it was not
based on scientific evidence that any health
hazard exists.
