Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)
FDA’s cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the Cellular Communication & Internet Association (CTIA) has resulted in research projects focused on two topics- mechanistic studies related to genotoxicity and exposure assessment studies. All studies funded through the CRADA have been completed, and no association was found between exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation from cell phones and adverse health effects.
FDA and CTIA also used the CRADA to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a symposium and issue a report on additional research needs . In the summer of 2007, NAS organized an open workshop of national and international experts to discuss the research conducted to date, gaps in knowledge gaps, and additional research needed to fill those gaps in the summer of 2007. Based on the presentations and discussions made at the workshop , NAS published a January 2008 report titled “Identification of Research Needs Relating to Potential Biological or Adverse Health Effects of Wireless Communication Devices.”
NAS identified the following gaps in knowledge where additional research would increase the understanding of the potential effects of RF energy on human health:
- Characterization of exposure to juveniles, children, pregnant women, and fetuses from personal wireless devices and RF fields from base station antennas.
- Characterization of radiated electromagnetic fields for typical multiple element base station antennas and exposures to affected individuals.
- Characterization of the dosimetry of evolving antenna configurations for cell phones and text messaging devices.
- Prospective epidemiologic cohort studies of children and pregnant women.