Microwave Radiation : Biological Effects and Safety

Standards
Amandeep Singh
Abstract-The study of human exposure to
radiofrequency/microwave radiation has
been the subject of widespread
investigation and analysis. It is known
that electromagnetic radiation has a
biological effect on human tissue. An
attempt has been made by researchers to
quantify the effects of radiation on the
human body and to set guidelines for safe
exposure levels.
Index Terms SAR(Specific Absorption
Ratio),PEL(Permissible Exposure Value),

absorption characteristics of the human

tissue.
The
National
Institute
for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
has reported several physical properties that
account for energy absorption in biological
materials. Factors which govern energy
absorption include: 1) strength of the
external (EM) field, 2) frequency of the
RF/MW source, 3) the degree of hydration
of die tissue, and 4) the physical dimensions,
geometry, and orientation of the absorbing
body with respect to the radiation EM field.
II.

I.

INTRODUCTION

In 1956, the Department of Defense (DOD)

directed the Armed Forces to investigate
the biological effects of exposure to
microwave radiation. The Army, Navy, and
Air Force Departments commissioned a TriService Program under the supervision of
the Air Force to meet the DOD directive. On
July 15-16, 1957 the first of four Tri-Service
Conferences was held to discuss the effects
of MW radiation. Researchers have
discovered a number of biological
dysfunctions that can occur in living
organisms. Exposure of the human body to
RF/MW radiation has many biological
implications. The effects range from
innocuous sensations of warmth to serious
physiological damage to the eye. There is
also evidence that RF/MW radiation can
cause cancer.
In order to determine safe exposure levels
and to understand the effect of RF/MW
radiation It is necessary to know the

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Exposure to RF/MW radiation is known to

have a biological effect on animals and
humans. Damage to major organs,
disruption of important biological processes,
and the potential risk of cancer represent the
dangers of RF/MW radiation to living
organisms. The energy emitted from an MW
source is absorbed by the human tissue
primarily as heat. In this case, the radiated
energy is disposed in the molecules of the
tissue. Dipole molecules of water and
protein are stimulated and will vibrate as
energy is absorbed throughout the irradiated
tissue area. Ionic conduction will also occur
in the same area where the radiation is
incident. It is from these two natural
processes that radiant energy is converted
into heat. Non thermal responses can be less
noticeable and are often more difficult to
explain than thermal effects. These
responses are related to the disturbances in
the tissue not caused by heating.

There are many reported biological effects

to humans and animals that are exposed to
RF/MW radiation. A review of the important
findings is given in the following:
A. Heating Film on Die Skin
Most RF/MW radiation penetrates only to
the outer surface of the body. This is
especially true for RF/MW frequencies
greater than 3 GHz where the likely depth of
penetration is about 1-10 mm. Since the
thermal receptors of the body are contained
primarily in this region. Exposure to higher
levels of radiation can cause serious
biological effects. Because of the physical
dimensions and geometry of the human
body, RF/MW radiated energy is non
uniformly deposited over the whole-body
surface. Some areas on the skin and outer
body surface will absorb higher amounts of
the radiated energy. These areas will be
marked by "hot spots" of high temperatures.
Experiments conducted on laboratory
animals have shown, that skin burns
typically occur in the areas of hot spots. The
penetration of RF/MW radiation also causes
skin burns to be relatively deep. Serious
burns can suffer fluid losses for a few days.
Blood circulation can be altered in the
effected area and other biological functions
could be indirectly affected.
B. Whole-Body Hyperthermia
Thermal energy absorbed by the whole-body
can cause a rise in body temperature. When
the human body is irradiated by an RF/MW
source at an incident power density of 10
mW/cm2 there will be a rise in body
temperature of about P C. The total thermal
energy absorbed at this power density is
about 58 watts. Typically, at rest the human
basal metabolic rate is about 80 watts and it
is about 290 watts during periods of
moderate activity. These figures were
reported by The U.S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare. Adverse biological

effects can occur when the body is subjected

to high doses of RF/MW radiation. In this
instance large amounts of thermal energy
can be absorbed by the body. A dramatic
influx
of
energy
can
overburden
thermoregulatory mechanisms. If excess
heat cannot be exhausted the core
temperature of the body will rise to a
dangerous level resulting in hyperthermia.
The biological response to excess heat
buildup is the dilation of blood vessels at the
surface of the skin and the evaporation of
water through sweating. These are the
primary mechanisms for heat dissipation.
Hyperthermia can cause severe dehydration
and the loss of electrolytes such as sodium
chloride. Other harmful effects include
fever, heat exhaustion, and heat fatigue.
C. Local Hyperthermia
The nonuniform deposition of RF/MW
radiated energy over the whole-body surface
causes the body to be heated unevenly.
Local areas where temperatures rise above
41.6 0C can experience damage to the
tissue. In these areas it is possible that
harmful toxins could be released as result of
the high temperatures. Heating can cause
cell membranes and blood capillaries to
become more permeable. An increase in
capillary permeability can lead to a loss of
plasma proteins. The denaturation of
proteins can also occur within cells,. This
can lead to changes in the physical
properties and biological functions of
proteins. Dernauration of proteins can also
cause polypeptide and histamine-like
substances to become active, Histamines can
stimulate gastric secretion, accelerate the
heart rate, and cause the dilation of blood
vessels resulting in lower blood pressure.
Areas of the body where blood circulation is
poor or where thermal regulation is
insufficient, are more susceptible to injury .

D. Carcinogenic Fifects
The carcinogenic effects of exposure to
RF/MW radiation are not well known. It is
difficult to clinically establish a link to
cancer. The problem that researchers have in
linking RF/MW radiation to cancer is that
the disease itself is prevalent and can be
caused by a variety of environmental
factors. In fact cancer is the second leading
cause of death in the United States. There
are, however, published reports that reveal
some insights into the carcinogenic nature of
RF/MW radiation.
i. Pathological Reports
In 1962, S. Prausnitz and C. Susskind
reported experimental results that showed an
increase in cancer among test animals
exposed to RF/MW radiation irradiated by a
10 GHz RF/MW source at an incident power
density of about 100 mW/cm2. It was noted
that irradiation caused the whole-body
temperature to rise about 3.3C. Upon
examination, it was found that 35% of the
body had developed cancer of the white
blood cells. The disease was observed as
monocytic or lymphatic leucosis or
lymphatic or myeloid leukemia. Only 10%
of a similar control group had developed
cancer.
ii. Effect on Chromosomes
It has been observed that disturbances in
chromosomic activity can cause cancerous
aberrations to occur in the human body.In
1976, A. A. Kapustin, M. I. Rudnev, G. I.
Leonskaia, and G.I. Knobecva reported
alterations in the chromosomes of bone
marrow cells in laboratory animals that were
exposed to RW/MW radiation. Upon
examination of the animals, they "5
observed chromosomal anomalies that
appeared in forms described as polyploidy,
aneuploidy, chormatic deletion, acentric
fragments and chromatic gaps.
The NIOSH Technical Report summarizes
the findings of several researchers.

Chromosomal and mitotic anomalies have

been observed in a variety of animal and
human cells for varying exposures to
RF/MW radiation. The reported affects
include:
linear
shortening
of
the
chromosomes,
irregularities
in
the
chromosomal envelope, abnormal bridges
and stickiness, translocations, chromosomal
breaks and gaps, chromatid breaks, acentric
chromosomes, dicentric chromosomes,
deletions,
fragmentation,
and
ring
chromosomes
.
iii. Mutagenic Effects
Reported evidence indicates that biological
interaction with EM fields can cause the
formation of mutagens in cells. In 1974,
three Soviet researchers, Danilenko,
Mirutenko and KIudrenko published results
showing a mutagenic effect of RF/MW
radiation. Mutagens were observed to form
in cells that were irradiated by a pulsed
RF/MW source operating at 37 GHz and 1
mW/cm2 power intensity. They concluded
that irradiation of tissue by pulsed RF/MW
sources causes cell membranes to become
more permeable to destructive chemical
mutagens.
E. Cardiovascular Effects
Most of the cardiovascular effects of
RF/MW radiation have been reported by
researchers in the Soviet Union and Eastern
Europe. Soviet investigators claim that
exposure to low levels of RF/MW radiation
that are not sufficient to induce
hyperthermia can cause aberrations in the
cardiovascular system of the body. Other
effects that have been observed by Soviet
researchers, are alterations in EKG and low
blood pressure.
F. Effect to the Central Nervous System
There is documented evidence that exposure
to RF/MW radiation can cause a disturbance
in the central nervous system (CNS) of

living organisms. Soviet investigators claim

that exposure to low-level radiation can
induce
serious
CNS
dysfunctions.
Experiments conducted in the Soviet Union
and Eastern Europe have exposed live
subjects to radiation levels that are near or
below the recommended safe levels
prescribed by the ANSI Standard and the
USAF AFOSH Standard.
III. RF/MW ENERGY DEPOSITION
The absorption of RF/MW radiated energy
causes biological reactions to occur in living
organisms. In order to understand the
potential effects of RF/MW radiation, it is
important to quantify the absorption
characteristics of biological materials.
Researchers have identified several principal
factors that govern the absorption of
RF/MW energy by the human body.
Experimental results have indicated that
clothing thickness, physical dimensions,
degree of hydration, and the resonance
frequency of the human body are important
parameters that determine the amount of
energy absorbed by the body.
A. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The specific absorption rate (SAR) is a
measure of the dose of RF/MW energy
absorbed by biological materials. It is
intended
to
give
a
quantitative
understanding to the absorption of energy.
The SAR is defined as the amount of energy
that is imparted to the body as a function of
body mass. SAR's are usually expressed in
terms of watts of incident power per
kilograms of irradiated body mass (W/Kg).
B. Depth of Energy Penetration
It is known that RF/MW radiated energy
will be absorbed by the tissue of the human
body. The depth of energy penration into the
tissue depends primarily on the wavelength

of the incident radiation and the water

content of the tissue. Energy emitted in the
millimeter-wave band is not likely to
penetrate to more than about I or 2 mm into
the tissue. Essentially, RF/MW energy
radiated at wavelengths less than 3
centimeters will be captured in the outer
skinsurface. RF/MW wavelengths from 3 to
10 centimeters will penetrate to a depth of
about I to 10 mm. The greatest depth of
penetrating into the body will occur at
wavelengths between 25 to 200 centimeters.
At these wavelengths RF/MW radiated
energy can directly effect internal body
organs and cause serious injury. The human
body is reported to be transparent to
RF/MW radiated energy emitted at
wavelengths greater than 200 centimeters.
Also, at frequencies above 300 Mhz it has
been observed that the depth of energy
penetration fluctuates rapidly with changes
in frequency. In general, the depth of energy
penetration into the body will decline as the
frequency of the incident radiation increases.
C. Orientation Of human body
The orientation of the human body with
respect to the incident EM field will
determine the amount of RF/MW energy
that is absorbed by the tissue. Experimental
results published by Om Gandhi in 1980
indicate that the condition for maximum
absorption occurs when the electric field is
parallel to the major axis of the body and the
direction of the field propagation is from
arm to arm..
IV. RF/MW RADIATION EXPOSURE
STANDARDS
Exposure of living organisms to RF/MW
radiation can have a potentially dangerous
Biological effect. To ensure the public safety
and to safeguard the workplace against
unnecessary RF/MW radiation exposure,

protective guidelines have been adopted by

the United States and several other nations.
A. ANSI Standard C95.1-1982
In response to the need for a national
RF/MW radiation protection guide, the
American
Standards
Association
commissioned the Deparment of the Navy
and The Institute of Metrical and Electronics
Engineers to cooperate in formulating an
acceptable standard for SAR radiation
exposure levels. The ANSI C95.1-1982
Standard
specifies
the
maximum
recommended RF/MW radiation exposure
levels over a frequency range of 300 KHz to
100 GHz. Typically, the standard calls for an
exposure of no more than 5 mWIcm for
frequencies between 1500 MHz to 100,000
MHz. In addition, the standard limits the
whole-body SAR to 0.4 W/Kg and indicates
that the peak SAR should not exceed 8.0
W/Kg over any one gram of Usmae For both
CW and pulsed EM fields the exposure time
should not exceed 6 minutes at
the meomended levels. 7hes maximum safe
levels are not intended to apply to the
medical treatment of patients where
irradiation is sometimes useful in combating
diseases
B. USAF PEL. (AFOSH Standard 161-9, 12
February 1987)
Since the early investigations of the TriService Commission, the United States Air
Force has recognized the need to establish
an RF/MW protection standard. The USAF
Permissible exposure level (PEL) is
specified in AFOSH Standard 161-9 enacted
12 February 1987. This standard stipulates
maximum safe RF/MW radiation exposure
levels over a frequency range of 10 KHz to
300 GHz. In general, the USAF protection
guideline agrees with the ANSI Standard
except that a distinction is made between
exposure to persons in restricted and
unrestricted areas. For a frequency range of

1500-300,000 M-z the USAF PEL is given

as 10 mW/cm2. The PEL put forth by the
USAF is intended to Protec personnel from
harm by limiting the whole-body SAR to 0.4
W/IKg. Exposure periods at the maximum
safe levels should be limited to 6 minutes. It
isalso recommended that exposure in the
near zone to RFIMW sources radiating at
less than 30MHz may require a separate
evaluation to determine safe exposure levels
of irradiation.
V. CONCLUSION
Exposure to RF/MW radiation is known to
have a biological effect on living Organisms.
Research conducted over the past 30 years
has provided a basis for the effect of
irradiation
of
biological
materials.
Experimental evidence has shown that
exposure to low intensity radiation can have
a profound effect on biological. The
nonthermal effects of RF/MW radiation
exposure are becoming important measures
of biological interaction with EM fields.
Modem RF/MW radiation protection guides
have sought to account for the effects of low
level radiation exposure. Adherence to the
ANSI Standard should provide protection
against harmful thermal effects and help to
minimize the interaction of EM fields with
the biological processes of the human body .
It is essentially the absorption of RF/MW
energy that causes stress and trauma to
biological systems. The greatest amount of
energy will be absorbed when the incident
radiation is emitted at the resonance
frequency of biological material. In this
regard, RF/MW radiation emitted at
nonresonant frequencies should be absorbed
off.extent when the radiating mode is a
pulsed signal. The generation of such signals
creates transient responses that will match
the resonant frequencies of biological
materials.N at pulsed RF/MW radiation may

be more harmful to living organisms than

CW radiation emitted at nonresonant
frequencies.
VI. REFERENCES
(1] 0. Gandhi, "Biological Effects and
Medical Applications of RF
Electromgnetic Fields", IEEE Transactions
Microwave Theory and
Techniques, vol. M'FT-30, pp. 1831-1847,
1982.
[2] W. R. Adey, "Frequency and Power
Windowing in Tissue Interactions with
Weak Elecromagnetic Fields", Proceedings
IEEE, vol. 68, pp. 119-125, 1980.
(3] The Industrial Environment - Its
Evaluation & Control, U.S Department of
Health, Education & Welfare, pp. 371-372,
1973.
[4] M. Stuchly, A. Kraszewski, and S.
Stuchly, "Exposure of Human Models in
the Near and Far Field - A Comparison",
IEEE Transactions Biomedical
Engineering, vol. MTT-32, pp. 609-616,
1985.

[5] Shin-Tsu, W. G. Lotz, and S. M.

Michaelson, "Advances in MicrowaveInduced Neuroendocrine Effects: The
Concept of Stress", Proceedings IEEE,
vol. 68, pp. 73-77, 1980.
[6] 0. Gandhi and A. Riazi, "Absorption of
Millimeter Waves by Human Beings
and its Biological Implications", IEEE
Transactions Microwave Theory and
Techniques, vol. MTT-34, pp. 228-235,
1986.
M7] S. M. Michaelson, "Microwave
Biological Effects: An Overview",
Proceedings IEEE, vol. 68, pp. 40-49, 1980.
[8] M. J. Dwyer and D. B. Leeper,
'Carcinogenic Properties of Non-ionizing
Radiation; Volume H - Microwave and
Radiofrequency Radiation", National
Institute for Occupational Safety Technical
Report, published by The U. S.
Department of Health, Education & Welfare,
NIOSH Contract Number 21076-0145, Cincinnati, March 1978.