TITLE: The microwave problem

Document ID: 19870023935 A (87A11209) File Series: Open Literature

Report Number: None

Sales Agency & Price: Issuing Activity - Copyright

Authors:

Foster, K. R. (Pennsylvania, University) Guy, A. W. (Washington,University)

Journal Title: Scientific American Volume: 255 Page:32-39

Published: Sep 01, 1986

Corporate Source:

(Corporate Source(s) Not Available)

Pages: 8

Contract Number: None

Abstract:

No firm biophysical data have been found to support a definite lower limit tomicrowave exposure below which no harm can occur in humans. The means by whichhazardous levels have been identified are reviewed, along with the techniques beingapplied to establish new, lower acceptable radiation levels in the U.S. The militaryexerted the original efforts to define exposure limits to assess health risks forradar operators. The first public exposure limits were an average power density of100 W/sq m. Recent ANSI recommendations are to lower the levels to about 0.4 W per kgof body weight, a figure weighted by the frequency used. It has experimentally beenproven that bursts of 10-500 kW microwave energy produce audible clicks in a humanhead because of the thermal expansion of tissue. Continued exposure to the new ANSIstandard has been experimentally shown to cause malignant tumors in rats. The EPA iscurrently reviewing the available data as a prelude to promulgating new regulationsin 1987.H=ReOpen Alphabetically

Major Subject Terms:

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT RADIATION DOSAGE RADIATION HAZARDS RADIATION PROTECTION

Minor Subject Terms:

BRAIN DAMAGE CANCER IMMUNITY MICROWAVEEMISSION RELATIVE

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS (RBE)

Language Note: English

Notes:

Scientific American (ISSN 0036-8733), vol. 255, Sept. 1986, p. 32-39.

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