The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, is coordinating a series of large epidemiological studies looking at whether there is an association between mobile phone use and brain cancer. Given this situation, the federal government’s role in providing the public with clear information on this issue is particularly important. FDA’s consumer information on mobile phone health issues, however, has not been revised since 1999 and does not reflect more recent studies and research developments. Although informative, the update has not been revised since 1999, and consequently does not discuss the significance of major, recently published research studies that have been reported and debated in the media. One of the requirements for CTIA certification is that manufacturers include the text of FDA’s “Consumer Update on Mobile Phones” in the packaging of the phones. Conclusions

Scientific research to date does not demonstrate that the radiofrequency energy emitted from mobile phones has adverse health effects, but the findings of some studies have raised questions indicating the need for further investigation. Although the initiative is being funded solely by the industry, FDA’s active role in setting the research agenda and providing scientific oversight should help alleviate concerns about the objectivity of industry- funded research.
What GAO Found

The consensus of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization, and other major health agencies is that the research to date does not show radiofrequency energy emitted from mobile phones has harmful health effects, but there is not yet enough information to conclude that they pose no risk. Although most of the epidemiological and laboratory studies done on this issue have found no adverse health effects, the findings of some studies have raised questions about cancer and other health problems that require further study. The Cellular Telecommunication & Internet Association (CTIA) and FDA will jointly conduct research on mobile phone health affects. Although the initiative is funded solely by CTIA, FDA's active role in setting the research agenda and providing scientific oversight should help alleviate concerns about the objectivity of the report. The media has widely reported on the debate over whether mobile phones can cause health problems. Thus, the federal government's role in providing the public with clear information on this issue is particularly important. FDA has a consumer information update on mobile phone health issues but has not revised that data since October 1999. Consequently FDA does not discuss the significance of major, recently published research studies that have been reported in the press. FDA said that it has not revised the update because the scientific picture has not changed significantly.