FDA, 1996

Title: Radiation Biology Research

Authors: FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science and Technology

Journal: 1996 Annual Report

PMID: —

Affiliated institution: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Cited on: FDA website

As quoted in the report:

Health issues concerning exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are discussed extensively in the news.

There are a number of products under the regulatory authority of FDA which emit or utilize EMF radiation. These include electric blankets, video display terminals, and medical devices such as those used to treat non-unions (bone fractures), as well as wireless communications devices such as cellular telephones.

Concern stems, in part, from epidemiological reports suggesting that EMF may play a role in cancer promotion. The program described below is part of a national research effort with contributions from NIH, CDC, DOE, and FDA. The data from this research will be used in an NIH risk analysis process leading to a Congressional report. This will place the FDA in a better position to evaluate safety claims of products emitting EMF. The principal objectives of the program are (1) to establish and maintain a regional in vitro magnetic field exposure facility and (2) to perform studies which address the issue of reproducibility of published EMF biological effects. This program was supported by NIH, FDA, and the Office of Naval Research. This program resulted in 10 published abstracts and 3 invited seminars at international scientific meetings during FY 96.