Samsung SGH-A767 Series User Manual

Contents

134What are the results of the research done already?The research done thus far has produced conflicting results, andmany studies have suffered from flaws in their researchmethods. Animal experiments investigating the effects of radiofrequency energy (RF) exposures characteristic of wirelessphones have yielded conflicting results that often cannot berepeated in other laboratories. A few animal studies, however,have suggested that low levels of RF could accelerate thedevelopment of cancer in laboratory animals. However, many ofthe studies that showed increased tumor development usedanimals that had been genetically engineered or treated withcancer-causing chemicals so as to be pre-disposed to developcancer in absence of RF exposure. Other studies exposed theanimals to RF for up to 22 hours per day. These conditions arenot similar to the conditions under which people use wirelessphones, so we don't know with certainty what the results of suchstudies mean for human health.Three large epidemiology studies have been published sinceDecember 2000. Between them, the studies investigated anypossible association between the use of wireless phones andprimary 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 harmfulhealth effects from wireless phones RF exposures.However, none of the studies can answer questions about long-term exposures, since the average period of phone use in thesestudies was around three years.What research is needed to decide whether RF exposurefrom wireless phones poses a health risk?A combination of laboratory studies and epidemiological studiesof people actually using wireless phones would provide some ofthe data that are needed. Lifetime animal exposure studies couldbe completed in a few years. However, very large numbers ofanimals would be needed to provide reliable proof of a cancerpromoting effect if one exists. Epidemiological studies canprovide data that is directly applicable to human populations, butten or more years' follow-up may be needed to provide answersabout some health effects, such as cancer.This is because the interval between the time of exposure to acancer-causing agent and the time tumors develop - if they do -may be many, many years. The interpretation of epidemiologicalstudies is hampered by difficulties in measuring actual RFexposure during day-to-day use of wireless phones. Manyfactors affect this measurement, such as the angle at which thephone is held, or which model of phone is used.