Motorola 009 - Manual (Page 175)

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Additional Health and Safety Information 175
Researchers conducted a large battery of laboratory tests to assess
the effects of exposure to mobile phone RF on genetic material. These
included tests for several kinds of abnormalities, including mutations,
chromosomal aberrations, 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 detects 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 resulted
in heating. Since this assay is known to be sensitive to heating, heat
alone could have caused the abnormalities to occur. The data already
in the literature on the response of the micronucleus assay to RF are
conflicting. Thus, follow-up research is necessary.(2)
FDA is currently working with government, industry, and academic
groups to ensure the proper follow-up to these industry-funded
research findings. Collaboration with the Cellular
Telecommunications 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
recommendations.
Two other studies of interest have been reported recently in the
literature:
Two groups of 18 people were exposed to simulated mobile phone
signals under laboratory conditions while they performed cognitive
function tests. There were no changes in the subjects' ability to recall
words, numbers, or pictures, or in their spatial 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 associated with mobile phone
use. When tumors did exist in certain locations, 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 likelihood was too small to be statistically significant.(4)
In summary, we do not have enough information 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 continues 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.
Accompli 009 User's Guide_.book Page 175 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 2:56 PM