National Academy of Sciences Workshop on Radiofrequency Research Needs
Guidance on future radiofrequency (RF) research needs was the subject of a workshop held August 7–9 in Washington, DC.  The workshop engaged national and international experts who are members of a committee convened by the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the Food and Drug Administration.  The committee mandate was to identify gaps in knowledge of biological effects and possible adverse health outcomes of exposure to RF energy from wireless communications devices.  With the explosion of wireless technology and frequent news stories about RF health research, concerns of employees and the public must be addressed.  The workshop featured more than two days of public presentations by RF researchers followed by question-and-answer periods, as well as closed committee discussions.  Topics covered included RF exposure and dosimetry, epidemiology, human laboratory research, mechanisms, animal and cell biology, and overarching issues and research needs.  Workshop participants noted that RF research is currently where ELF research was 15–20 years ago.  In 2008, the committee will issue a research guidance report based on workshop recommendations.  Dr. Leeka Kheifets, now an EPRI research consultant, is a member of the committee.  For more information, contact Mike Silva, (650) 855-2815, msilva@epri.com.