Identification of Research Needs Relating to Potential Biological or Adverse Health Effects of Wireless Communication Devices

In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the use of wireless communications devices and a great deal of research has been carried out to investigate possible biological or human health effects resulting from their use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the National Research Council to organize a workshop to identify research needs and gaps in knowledge in the areas of dosimetry and exposure, epidemiology, human laboratory studies, mechanisms, and animal and cell biology. The workshop did not include the evaluation of health effects or the generation of recommendations relating to how identified research needs should be met. Some needs and gaps identified at the workshop include: (1) characterization of exposures from wireless devices and RF base station antennas in juveniles, children, fetuses, and pregnant women and (2) evaluation of devices that use newer technologies (e.g., texting, web-surfing). FrontMatter......Page 2 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Reviewers......Page 10 Contents......Page 12 Executive Summary......Page 14 Summary......Page 16 Introduction......Page 23 Dosimetry and Exposure......Page 26 Epidemiology......Page 32 Human Laboratory Studies......Page 40 Mechanisms......Page 46 In Vivo and In Vitro Studies in Experimental Model Systems......Page 50 References......Page 58 Appendix A: Statement of Task......Page 64 Appendix B: Committee Biographical Sketches......Page 65 Appendix C: Workshop Agenda......Page 70 Appendix D: Workshop Participants......Page 77 Appendix E: List of Individuals Who Submitted Statements Identifying Needs and Gaps in Research Prior to Workshop......Page 79 Committee On Identification Of Research Needs Relating To Potential Biological Or Adverse Health Effects Of Wireless Communications Devices, Nuclear And Radiation Studies Board, Division On Earth And Life Studies, National Research Council Of The National Academies. Report Based On Presentations And Discussions From A Workshop Of National And International Experts To Identify Research Needs And Gaps In Knowledge Of Biological Effects And Adverse Health Outcomes Of Exposure To Radiofrequency (rf) Energy From Wireless Communications Devices. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 45-49). Also Available Online.