LG DML200 - Manual (Page 113)

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development used animals that had been genetically engineered or
treated with cancer-causing chemicals so as to be pre-disposed to
develop cancer in the absence of RF exposure. Other studies
exposed the animals to RF for up to 22 hours per day. These
conditions are not similar to the conditions under which people use
wireless phones, so we don’t know with certainty what the results
of such studies mean for human health. Three large epidemiology
studies have been published since December 2000. Between them,
the studies investigated any possible association between the use
of wireless phones and primary 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 harmful health effects from wireless phone RF
exposures. However, none of the studies can answer questions
about long-term exposures, since the average period of phone use
in these studies was around three years.
5 . W hat r e s ea r ch i s needed to decide w he ther R F ex po su r e
f r om w i r ele s s phone s po s e s a hea lth r i s k ?
A combination of laboratory studies and epidemiological studies of
people actually using wireless phones would provide some of the
data that are needed. Lifetime animal exposure studies could be
completed in a few years. However, very large numbers of animals
would be needed to provide reliable proof of a cancer-promoting
effect if one exists. Epidemiological studies can provide data that is
directly applicable to human populations, but 10 or more years
follow-up may be needed to provide answers about some health
effects, such as cancer. This is because the interval between the
time of exposure to a cancer-causing agent and the time tumors
develop — if they do — may be many, many years. The
interpretation of epidemiological studies is hampered by difficulties
in measuring actual RF exposure during day-to-day use of wireless
phones. Many factors affect this measurement, such as the angle at
which the phone is held, or which model of phone is used.
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