Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Physiological and behavioral effects of prolonged exposure to 915 MHz microwaves med./bio.

By: D'Andrea JA, Gandhi OP, Lords JL, Durney CH, Astle L, Stensaas LJ, Schoenberg AA

Published in: J Microw Power 1980; 15 (2): 123-135

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study physiological and behavioral effects of chronic exposure to 915 MHz microwaves on rats.

Endpoint

physiological and behavioral effects (e.g. enzyme activity, hematocrit, EEG, locomotor activity, body mass)

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 915 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: 640 h total (8 hr/day, 5 days/week, 16 weeks)	power density: 50 W/m² average over time SAR: 2.46 mW/g average over mass (whole body)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	915 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	640 h total (8 hr/day, 5 days/week, 16 weeks)

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	anechoic chamber, 2 halves with a monopole antenna each
Chamber	anechoic chamber 3.5 m x 3.5 m x 2.75 m (outside), plexiglas holding cages 20cm x 12 cm x 11 cm
Additional info	electric field parallel to the long axis of the holding cage and the animal for max. absorption of MW energy

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	50 W/m²	average over time	measured	-	-
SAR	2.46 mW/g	average over mass	-	whole body	-

Reference articles

D'Andrea JA et al. (1979): Physiological and behavioral effects of chronic exposure to 2450-MHz microwaves

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Long-Evans
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: 17-ketosteroid levels in urine
effects on the immune system: number of white blood cells and red blood cells; hemoglobin content; hematocrit
effects on the neurological system: EEG; histopathological change of hypothalamic tissue
cognitive/behavioral endpoints: food and water intake; locomotor activity (wheel revolution; stabilimetric platform)
enzyme activity (cholinesterase activity) in blood and plasma; sulfhydryl content in plasma
body mass; mass of adrenal gland, liver and heart

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
tissue slices
isolated organ
blood samples, urine
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Daily measures of body mass and of food and water intake indicated no statistically significant effects of microwave exposure. Measures by activity wheels and stabilimetric platforms of spontaneous locomotion indicate that mean activity levels increased about 25% after microwave irradiation, but the statistical significance of the findings are doubtful. Studies of blood sampled after 2, 6, 10, and 14 weeks of irradiation showed alterations of free sulfhydryls. Measures of levels of urinary 17-ketosteroids at weeks 1, 5, 9, and 12 of irradiation, and measures of brain hypothalamic tissue, and of mass of adrenals, heart, and liver at the end of the 16-week period, revealed no significant differences between exposed and control rats. Cortical EEGs sampled after conclusion of microwave exposures also showed no significant differences.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), North Carolina, USA

Khirazova EE et al. (2012): Effects of GSM-Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Some Physiological and Biochemical Parameters in Rats
D'Andrea JA et al. (1979): Physiological and behavioral effects of chronic exposure to 2450-MHz microwaves