Use of Mobile Phones:  A Snapshot of the Science on RF
April 2006

CTIA and the wireless industry are deeply committed to safety and to providing timely, accurate information to consumers about wireless phones. When learning the facts about cell phones and health related effects, it is important to know first that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have said that the scientific evidence to date does not demonstrate any adverse health effects associated with the use of wireless phones. 
 
There has been significant research conducted on the issue of whether there is a link between wireless phone use and health effects. Much has been completed and more continues today. In 2000, CTIA and the FDA launched a research initiative, referred to as the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), to examine scientific questions about radiofrequency (RF) energy. The research plan outlined in the CRADA provides that the FDA, not Industry, is responsible for the scientific and technical advice for all scientific work in this area. The research activities focus on (1) mechanistic studies related to genotoxicity, (2) epidemiologic studies and (3) a review of the science thru a science symposium organized by the FDA. The results of this work will augment the existing body of scientific information and will be published in peer-reviewed scientific publications when finalized.
 
The scientific evidence to date indicates that there are no adverse health effects associated with the use of wireless phones. The Industry continues to support research on RF effects and wireless devices conducted and/or completed in the United States and throughout the world. Wireless devices must adhere to strict emissions guidelines, which are developed under a thorough and rigorous review process. Of note: More >

• All wireless base station antennas and phones must meet the science-based, RF emission guidelines of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which established very conservative limits to ensure that the health of all citizens is protected.  
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that continuous human exposure to RF fields up to and including 100 percent of the FCC limit is considered safe. 
• Several federal agencies have reviewed and endorsed the FCC's guidelines including: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 
• In 1999, the EPA concluded:  “It (is) EPA’s view that the FCC exposure        guidelines adequately protect the public from all scientifically established        harms that may result from RF energy fields generated by FCC Licensees.” 
• The United States, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Protection (ICNIRP) and Canada have recently reviewed their guidelines and declared that they continue to protect the public.

There is a Wealth of Information and Studies on Radio Frequency Available for Review. Below is a List of Resources on RF Health and Safety:

• Bioelectromagnetics Society  
• U.S. Dept. of Defense 
• Federal Communications Commission  
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• IEEE
• International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation 
• J. Moulder, Medial College of Wisconsin 
• National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements  
• Wireless Industry (CTIA) 
• Wireless Information Resource Centre (Canada)  
• World Health Organization (WHO)