More than 90 million Americans use mobile phones. The number is growing exponentially as prices drop and wireless Web access becomes more widely available. But little is known about the health effects of radio frequency emissions on cell phone users. A few animal studies suggest that low-level radio frequency exposure accelerates the development of cancer in laboratory animals. But scientists are uncertain whether that study's results apply to cell phone use.
Repetitive experiments are necessary to show effects can be duplicated, the working group says.
For scientific legitimacy, data must be published and then reproduced by other groups. The FDA is developing research recommendations based on the ideas and concerns of the working group, says Russell D. Owen, chief of the FDA's Radiation Biology branch. Warning Labels Appear Another governmental agency is also tracking the issue. The industry association recently required all cell phones submitted for certification after August 1 to include SAR data inside their packaging. Cell phones with SAR information will be on the market in three to six months.