The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that in ongoing research, including a study recently released from the World Health Organization (WHO), there is thus far no increased health risk found due to the radio frequency (RF) energy emitted from cell phones. The question of possible danger to users has been debated for some time. (See DM 7076).

In addition to the WHO report, the FDA mentions a National Cancer Institute finding that brain cancer rates between 1987 and 2005 did not increase despite the skyrocketing use of cell phones. The FDA and the Federal Communications Commission regulate cell phones. While phones do not need FDA clearance, the agency can take action if the RF energy rises to the level of being hazardous to the user.

The WHO report on the Interphone study was commenced in 2000 as a set of case-controlled studies in 13 countries (not including the U.S.) The study focused on the tumors that tend most to absorb RF energy cell phones emit: brain (gliomo and meningioma), acoustic nerve (schwannoma) and the parotid gland. The study was the largest of its kind and included users with at least ten years of cell phone exposure.
The result showed little to no risk for long-term users. There was some indication of an increased risk in the heaviest users of cell phones, but the authors felt that biases and errors in the study temper the conclusions that may be drawn from that particular data. The study points out that the subjects were not heavy users of cell phones compared to today's users, particularly younger persons. However, the emissions in new technology are lower, and texting and hands-free usage keep phones away from the head and may lessen the dangers associated with higher usage. (See also DM 12734.)

The FDA says that if people are concerned about reducing cell phone RF exposure, they may do the following: reduce the amount of time spent on the cell phone; use speaker mode or a headset to allow more distance between one's head and the phone.

The FDA update may be found at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM212306.pdf

The WHO report may be found at: http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2010/pdfs/pr200_E.pdf

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