Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Lack of behavioral effects in the rhesus monkey: high peak microwave pulses at 1.3 GHz med./bio.

By: D'Andrea JA, Cobb BL, de Lorge JO
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1989; 10 (1): 65-76
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The present study is one part of a Navy Department research program to determine thresholds for changes in schedule of reinforcement-induced behavior produced by high peak power microwave pulses.

Background/further details

Five rhesus monkeys were exposed to peak-power densities of 131.8 W/cm² while performing a time-related behavioral task.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1.3 GHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Exposure 2: 1.3 GHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Exposure 3: 1.3 GHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Exposure 4: 1.3 GHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Exposure 5: 1.3 GHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1.3 GHz
Charakteristic
Exposure duration intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 3 µs
Repetition frequency 2 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.13 m
Setup Monkeys were restrained in Styrofoam chair during the exposure
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 9.2 W/m² mean measured - 131.8 W/cm² peak power density
SAR 50 µW/g mean estimated whole body 0.09 W/kg SAR in the head
SAR 8.3 mW/g - estimated whole body 15 W/kg peak SAR in the head

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1.3 GHz
Charakteristic
Exposure duration intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 3 µs
Repetition frequency 4 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.13 m
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 8.3 mW/g - estimated whole body 15 W/kg peak SAR in the head
SAR 100 µW/g mean estimated whole body 0.18 W/kg SAR in the head
power density 18.5 W/m² mean measured - 131.8 W/cm² peak power density

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 1.3 GHz
Charakteristic
Exposure duration intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 3 µs
Repetition frequency 8 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.13 m
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 37 W/m² mean measured - 131.8 W/cm² peak power density
SAR 200 µW/g mean estimated whole body 0.36 W/kg SAR in the head
SAR 8.3 mW/g - estimated whole body 15 W/kg peak SAR in the head

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 1.3 GHz
Charakteristic
Exposure duration intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 3 µs
Repetition frequency 8 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.13 m
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 7.4 W/m² mean measured - 131,8 W/cm² peak power density
SAR 8.3 mW/g - estimated whole body 15 W/kg peak SAR in the head
SAR 400 µW/g mean estimated whole body 0.72 W/kg SAR in the head

Exposure 5

Main characteristics
Frequency 1.3 GHz
Charakteristic
Exposure duration intermittent; one session/week, 60min/session.
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 3 µs
Repetition frequency 32 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.13 m
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 148 W/m² mean measured - 131.8 W/cm² peak power density
SAR 800 µW/g mean estimated whole body 1.44 W/kg SAR in the head
SAR 8.3 mW/g - estimated whole body 15 W/kg peak SAR in the head

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant change was observed in any behavior during exposure as compared to sham exposure sessions. Generalization of these findings to experimental data with higher peak-power densities, other pulse rates, different carrier frequencies, or other behaviors is limited.

Study character:

Study funded by