Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Videotape observation of rats and mice during an exposure to 2450-MHz microwave radiation med./bio.

By: Gage MI, Berman E, Kinn JB
Published in: Radio Sci 1979; 14: 227-232
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

Rats and mice were observed in a microwave field to study if they would take behavioral action to minimize absorption of microwave energy by altering their orientation. Behavior was investigated at each of two ambient temperatures, 22 and 28°C.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
rats in cylindrical cages
  • SAR: 2.2 mW/g (outside the cage)
  • SAR: 1.4 mW/g minimum (1.4 - 1.7 mW/g inside the cage)
  • power density: 150 W/m²
Exposure 2: 2.45 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
rats in cuboidal cages
  • power density: 15 mW/cm²
  • SAR: 2.2 mW/g (outside the cage)
  • SAR: 2.1 mW/g minimum (2.1 - 2.4 mW/g inside the cage)
Exposure 3: 2.45 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
mice in cuboidal cages
  • power density: 15 mW/cm²
  • SAR: 4.1 mW/g minimum (4.1 - 8.2 mW/g outside the cage)
  • SAR: 4.4 mW/g minimum (4.4 - 7.4 mW/g inside the cage)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Additional info rats in cylindrical cages
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 2.7 m
Setup rats held in acrylic cylindrical cages with an inner diameter of 21 cm, 15 cm heigh with a 0.64 cm solid Plexiglas floor; cages centered inside an environmentally controlled Styrofoam exposure chamber within an anechoic chamber with a television camera for monitoring the animal's actions
Additional info E- or H- orientation was recorded
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2.2 mW/g - measured - outside the cage
SAR 1.4 mW/g minimum measured - 1.4 - 1.7 mW/g inside the cage
power density 150 W/m² - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Additional info rats in cuboidal cages
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 2.7 m
Setup rats in Styrofoam cages with 21.5 cm on each side, 16 cm heigh, with a nylon mesh bottom, cages coated with quinine
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 15 mW/cm² - - - -
SAR 2.2 mW/g - measured - outside the cage
SAR 2.1 mW/g minimum measured - 2.1 - 2.4 mW/g inside the cage

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Additional info mice in cuboidal cages
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 2.7 m
Setup mice placed in Styrofoam cages with 21.5 cm on each side, 16 cm heigh, with a nylon mesh bottom, cages coated with quinine
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 15 mW/cm² - - - -
SAR 4.1 mW/g minimum measured - 4.1 - 8.2 mW/g outside the cage
SAR 4.4 mW/g minimum measured - 4.4 - 7.4 mW/g inside the cage

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data indicate that 2450 MHz continuous wave (CW) microwaves did not cause animals to change their position from that adopted in response to environmental or caging conditions. The specific absorption rate (SAR) in rats was inpendent on their orientation in the field. The SAR in mice was dependent on their orientation in the microwave field but their orientation did not show changes interpretable as attempts to reduce microwave absorption.

Study character:

Study funded by