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 

A

showed changes after exposure to simulated cell phone 

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radiation, but only after 24 hours of exposure. It is possible that 

ition

exposing the test cells to radiation for this long resulted in 

al

heating. Since this assay is known to be sensitive to heating, heat 

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alone could have caused the abnormalities to occur. The data 

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already in the literature on the response of the micronucleus 

th an

assay to RF are conflicting. Thus, follow up research is 

d Sa

necessary.(2) 

FDA is currently working with government, industry, and 

fety I

academic groups to ensure the proper follow up to these 

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industry funded research findings. Collaboration with the Cellular 

form

Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) in particular is 

expected to lead to FDA providing research recommendations 

ati

o

and scientific oversight of new CTIA funded research based on 

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such recommendations. 

Two other studies of interest have been reported recently in the 

A)

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 

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