Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Studies of the teratogenic potential of exposure of rats to 6000 MHz microwave radiation. I. Morphologic analysis at term med./bio.

By: Jensh RP

Published in: Radiat Res 1984; 97 (2): 272-281

To establish a near maximum power density level of microwave irradiation at 6000 MHz which does not cause a significant increase in body temperature in the pregnant rat, and to study if protracted exposure to that power density level throughout pregnancy would result in embryopathic effects.

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 6 GHz Exposure duration: continuous through pregnancy (21 days)	power density: 35 mW/cm² SAR: 7.28 W/kg average over mass (whole body)

The rats (n=36) were randomly assigned to one of the 4 groups: Group 1: home cage control (n=5), Group 2: anechoic chamber control (n=10), Group 3: sham irradiated concurrent control (n=10) and Group 4: irradiated (n=11).

Frequency	6 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous through pregnancy (21 days)

Exposure source	horn antenna anechoic chamber waveguide
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	2 m
Setup	648 cubic feet anechoic chamber lined with absorbent material, horn antenna at the ceiling of the chamber connected to waveguide
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	35 mW/cm²	-	-	-	-
SAR	7.28 W/kg	average over mass	calculated	whole body	-

Exposed system:

Investigated system:

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

Preliminary studies indicated that 35 mW/cm² at 6 GHz would be an appropriate power density level. Exposure for 5 hours to this level did not result in an increase in body temperature.
The exposed fetuses exhibited slight but statistically significant growth retardation at term. Maternal monocyte count was also significantly depressed. No other parameters differed between the control animals and the exposed animals.

Study character:

Sambucci M et al. (2010): Prenatal Exposure to Non-ionizing Radiation: Effects of WiFi Signals on Pregnancy Outcome, Peripheral B-Cell Compartment and Antibody Production
Saito K et al. (1991): Lethal and teratogenic effects of long-term low-intensity radio frequency radiation at 428 MHz on developing chick embryo
Jensh RP (1984): Studies of the teratogenic potential of exposure of rats to 6000 MHz microwave radiation. II. Postnatal psychophysiologic evaluations
Jensh RP et al. (1983): An evaluation of the teratogenic potential of protracted exposure of pregnant rats to 2450-MHz microwave radiation: I. Morphologic analysis at term
Jensh RP et al. (1982): Teratologic studies of prenatal exposure of rats to 915 MHz microwave radiation
Nawrot PS et al. (1981): Effects of 2.45 GHz CW microwave radiation on embryofetal development in mice