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U.S. FDA
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DNA strand breaks, and structural
changes in the genetic material of blood
cells called lymphocytes. None of the
tests showed any effect of the RF except
for the micronucleus assay, which de-
tects structural effects on the genetic
material. The cells in this assay showed
changes after exposure to simulated cell
phone radiation, but only after 24 hours
of exposure. It is possible that exposing
the test cells to radiation for this long re-
sulted in heating. Since this assay is
known to be sensitive to heating, heat
alone could have caused the abnormali-
ties to occur. The data already in the lit-
erature on the response of the micronu-
cleus assay to RF are conflicting. Thus
follow-up research is necessary.
2
FDA is currently working with govern-
ment, industry, and academic groups to
ensure the proper follow-up to these in-
dustry-funded research findings. Collab-
oration with the Cellular Telecommuni-
cations Industry Association (CTIA) in
particular is expected to lead to FDA
providing research recommendations
and scientific oversight of new CTIA-
funded research based on such recom-
mendations.
Two other studies of interest have been
reported recently in the literature:
• Two groups of 18 people were ex-
posed to simulated mobile phone sig-
nals under laboratory conditions
while they performed cognitive func-
tion tests. There were no changes in
the subjects' ability to recall words,
numbers, or pictures, or in their spa-
tial memory, but they were able to
make choices more quickly in one
visual test when they were exposed to
simulated mobile phone signals. This
was the only change noted among
more than 20 variables compared.
3
• In a study of 209 brain tumor cases
and 425 matched controls, there was
no increased risk of brain tumors as-
sociated with mobile phone use.
When tumors did exist in certain lo-
cations, however, they were more
likely to be on the side of the head
where the mobile phone was used.
Because this occurred in only a small
number of cases, the increased likeli-
hood was too small to be statistically
significant.
4
In summary, we do not have enough in-
formation at this point to assure the
public that there are, or are not, any low
incident health problems associated
with use of mobile phones. FDA contin-
ues to work with all parties, including
other federal agencies and industry, to
assure that research is undertaken to
provide the necessary answers to the
outstanding questions about the safety
of mobile phones.
