Skip to main content
PMC home page
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 1974 Aug;8:133–155. doi: 10.1289/ehp.748133

Effects of Exposure to Microwaves: Problems and Perspectives*

Sol M Michaelson
PMCID: PMC1474944  PMID: 4620329

Abstract

During the last 25 years, there has been a remarkable development and increase in the number of processes and devices that utilize or emit microwaves. Such devices are used in all sectors of our society for military, industrial, telecommunications, and consumer applications. Although there is information on biologic effects and potential hazard to man from exposure to microwaves, considerable confusion and misinformation has permeated not only the public press but also some scientific and technical publications. The purpose of this review is to place the available information on biologic effects of microwaves in proper perspective and to suggest approaches to future studies.

Full text

PDF
133

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Appleton B., McCrossan G. C. Microwave lens effects in humans. Arch Ophthalmol. 1972 Sep;88(3):259–262. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1972.01000030261006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BALDWIN M., BACH S. A., LEWIS S. A. Effects of radio-frequency energy on primate cerebral activity. Neurology. 1960 Feb;10:178–187. doi: 10.1212/wnl.10.2.178. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. BARONENKO V. A., TIMOFEEVA K. F. Vliianie elektricheskikh polei VCH i UVCH na uslovnoreflektornuiu deiatel'nost' i nekotorye bezuslovnye funktsii zhivotnykh i cheloveka. Fiziol Zh SSSR Im I M Sechenova. 1959 Feb;45(2):203–207. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. BARRON C. I., BARAFF A. A. Medical considerations of exposure to microwaves (radar). J Am Med Assoc. 1958 Nov 1;168(9):1194–1199. doi: 10.1001/jama.1958.03000090024006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. BARRON C. I., LOVE A. A., BARAFF A. A. Physical evaluation of personnel exposed to microwave emanations. J Aviat Med. 1955 Dec;26(6):442–452. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. BLAIR H. A. THE CONSTANCY OF REPAIR RATE AND IRREPARABILITY DURING PROTRACTED EXPOSURE TO IONIZING RADIATION. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1964 Mar 31;114:150–157. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1964.tb53569.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. BURMEISTER H. Erfahrungen bei der Bestrahlung des Auges mit Mikrowellen. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd Augenarztl Fortbild. 1956;129(3):336–342. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Bryan R. N. Retrograde amnesia: effects of handling and microwave radiation. Science. 1966 Aug 19;153(3738):897–899. doi: 10.1126/science.153.3738.897. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. COGAN D. G., FRICKER S. J., LUBIN M., DONALDSON D. D., HARDY H. Cataracts and ultra-high-frequency radiation. AMA Arch Ind Health. 1958 Oct;18(4):299–302. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. COGAN D. G. Lesions of the eye from radiant energy. J Am Med Assoc. 1950 Jan 21;142(3):145–151. doi: 10.1001/jama.1950.02910210001001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. CREWS S. J. Posterior subcapsular lens opacities in patients on longterm corticosteroid therapy. Br Med J. 1963 Jun 22;1(5346):1644–1647. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5346.1642. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Clearly S. F., Pasternack B. S. Lenticular changes in microwave workers. A statistical study. Arch Environ Health. 1966 Jan;12(1):23–29. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1966.10664332. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. DAILY L., Jr, WAKIM K. G., HERRICK J. F., PARKHILL E. M., BENEDICT W. L. The effects of microwave diathermy on the eye; an experimental study. Am J Ophthalmol. 1950 Aug;33(8):1241–1254. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(50)90996-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. DEICHMANN W. B., BERNAL E., STEPHENS F., LANDEEN K. EFFECTS ON DOGS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO MICROWAVE RADIATION. J Occup Med. 1963 Sep;5:418–425. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. FREY A. H. Auditory system response to radio frequency energy. Technical note. Aerosp Med. 1961 Dec;32:1140–1142. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. FREY A. H. Human auditory system response to modulated electromagnetic energy. J Appl Physiol. 1962 Jul;17:689–692. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1962.17.4.689. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Gehring P. J. The cataractogenic activity of chemical agents. CRC Crit Rev Toxicol. 1971 Sep;1(1):93–118. doi: 10.3109/10408447109104302. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. HELLER J. H., TEIXEIRA-PINTO A. A. A new physical method of creating chromosomal aberrations. Nature. 1959 Mar 28;183(4665):905–906. doi: 10.1038/183905a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. HIRSCH F. G., PARKER J. T. Bilateral lenticular opacities occurring in a technician operating a microwave generator. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med. 1952 Dec;6(6):512–517. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Hardy J. D. Posterior hypothalamus and the regulation of body temperature. Fed Proc. 1973 May;32(5):1564–1571. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. KALANT H. Physiological hazards of microwave radiation: a survey of published literature. Can Med Assoc J. 1959 Oct 1;81:575–582. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Katz R. L., Epstein R. A. The interaction of anesthetic agents and adrenergic drugs to produce cardiac arrhythmias. Anesthesiology. 1968 Jul-Aug;29(4):763–784. doi: 10.1097/00000542-196807000-00021. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. LERMAN S. Radiation cataractogenesis. N Y State J Med. 1962 Oct 1;62:3075–3085. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. LUBIN M., CURTIS G. W., DUDLEY H. R., BIRD L. E., DALEY P. F., COGAN D. G., FRICKER S. J. Effects of ultra-high-frequency radiation on animals. AMA Arch Ind Health. 1960 Jun;21:555–558. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. LaRoche L. P., Zaret M. M., Braun A. F. An operational safety program for ophthalmic hazards of microwave. Arch Environ Health. 1970 Mar;20(3):350–355. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1970.10665603. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. MAGNUSON H. J., FASSETT D. W., GERARDE H. W., ROWE V. K., SMYTH H. F., Jr, STOKINGER H. E. INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY IN THE SOVIET UNION--THEORETICAL AND APPLIED. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1964 Mar-Apr;25:185–197. doi: 10.1080/00028896409342575. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. MICHAELSON S. M., THOMSON R. A., HOWLAND J. W. Physiologic aspects of microwave irradiation of mammals. Am J Physiol. 1961 Aug;201:351–356. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1961.201.2.351. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Michaelson S. M. Biomedical aspects of microwave exposure. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1971 May;32(5):338–345. doi: 10.1080/0002889718506470. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Michaelson S. M., Dodge C. H. Soviet views on the biological effects of microwaves--an analysis. Health Phys. 1971 Jul;21(1):108–111. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Michaelson S. M., Howland J. W., Deichmann W. B. Response of the dog to 24,000 and 1285 MHz microwave exposure. IMS Ind Med Surg. 1971 Aug;40(5):18–23. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Michaelson S. M. Microwave exposure safety standards--physiologic and philosophic aspects. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1972 Mar;33(3):156–164. doi: 10.1080/0002889728506625. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Milroy W. C., Michaelson S. M. Biological effects of microwave radiation. Health Phys. 1971 Jun;20(6):567–575. doi: 10.1097/00004032-197106000-00003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Milroy W. C., Michaelson S. M. Microwave cataractogenesis: a critical review of the literature. Aerosp Med. 1972 Jan;43(1):67–75. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Odland L. T. Observations on microwave hazards to USAF personnel. J Occup Med. 1972 Jul;14(7):544–547. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Pollard E. C. The biological action of ionizing radiation. Am Sci. 1969 Summer;57(2):206–236. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. RICHARDSON A. W., DUANE T. D., HINES H. M. Experimental cataract produced by 3 cm. pulsed microwave irradiations. AMA Arch Ophthalmol. 1951 Apr;45(4):382–386. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1951.01700010390004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. RUBIN A., ERDMAN W. J., 2nd Microwave exposure of the human female pelvis during early pregnancy and prior to conception: case reports. Am J Phys Med. 1959 Dec;38:219–220. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Rosenthal D. S., Beering S. C. Hypogonadism after microwave radiation. JAMA. 1968 Jul 22;205(4):245–248. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. SHIMKHOVICH I. S., SHILIAEV V. G. [Cataract of both eyes which developed as a result of brief exposures to an ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic field of high density]. Vestn Oftalmol. 1959 Jul-Aug;72:12–16. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. SOMMER H. C., VONGIERKE H. E. HEARING SENSATIONS IN ELECTRIC FIELDS. Aerosp Med. 1964 Sep;35:834–839. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Schwan H. P. Microwave radiation: biophysical considerations and standards criteria. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1972 Jul;19(4):304–312. doi: 10.1109/TBME.1972.324075. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Shliafer T. P., Iakovleva M. I. Vliianie sverkhvysokochastotnykh élektromagnitnykh polei na impul'snuiu aktivnost' neironov kory golovnogo mozga. Fiziol Zh SSSR Im I M Sechenova. 1969 Jan;55(1):16–21. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Van Ummersen C. A., Cogan F. C. Experimental microwave cataracts. Age as factor in induction of cataracts in the rabbit. Arch Environ Health. 1965 Aug;11(2):177–178. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1965.10664194. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. WILLIAMS D. B., MONAHAN J. P., NICHOLSON W. J., ALDRICH J. J. Biologic effects studies on microwave radiation; time and power thresholds for production of lens opacities by 12.3 cm. microwaves. AMA Arch Ophthalmol. 1955 Dec;54(6):863–874. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES