Can microwave/radiofrequency radiation (RFR) burns be distinguished from conventional burns?

The literature was reviewed that addressed the differences between microwave/radiofrequency radiation (RFR) and conventional burns. It was concluded that RFR may involve deeper tissue without immediate observable skin injury or pain. Since RFR is not uniformly absorbed in tissue, "hot spots" of focal necrosis may occur such as at tissue interfaces and in tissue with poor blood supply. A followup physical examination is advisable because there may be a latent period before burns are observed.

Modulation of mammalian immunity by electromagnetic radiation.

There have been reports that electromagnetic radiation (EMR) alters the function of the immune system; however, these reports are often contradictory. This review reexamines the literature and attempts to evaluate the data on potential mechanisms of interaction of EMR on mammalian immune function. This report concludes that there is no convincing evidence that EMR effects on the human immune system are a health hazard. It was suggested by some authors that long-term EMR exposure may impair immune surveillance, and hypothetically thus facilitate tumor growth. Additional research is needed to prove or disprove this hypothesis. Available data indicate that EMR exposure does not affect the ability of cells of the immune system to respond to a subsequent challenge. However, the time-course and magnitude of the response may be affected by exposure following stimulation. Research to date provided evidence that at least at some frequencies and/or amplitude and pulse modulations, the site of primary interaction of EMR is at the cell membrane. However, it was shown that one specific response, the increase in B complement-receptor positive lymphocytes (Cr+) in the mouse is under genetic control by a single gene localized on chromosome 5. It is suggested that cells of the immune system are a convenient model for further studies on mechanisms of EMR interaction with living systems. Future research should be directed at exploring beneficial medical applications of EMR modulation of immune responses.

Does x-radiation of the preconceptional mammalian ovum lead to sterility and/or congenital anomalies?

Sexually mature CF1 female mice were x-radiated with 10 to 500 R prior to mating with normal males of the same strain, and no exposure rendered the mice sterile immediately; estrous was not altered, so that normal matings occurred; the litter size of females exposed to the 500-R dose was reduced, possibly due to induction of dominant lethal genes. The second and third meiotic maturations following x-radiation gave rise to fertilizable ova which resulted in offspring that did not show any increase in the incidence of congenital anomalies. With increasing levels of exposure to x-rays, there was a decrease in the reproductive live-span. If the interval between x-radiation and mating was lengthened to 60 days, none of those exposed to 300 R or more was fertile; those exposed to 100 R showed variable fertility, evidenced by reduced litter sizes, but there were no anomalies. None of the offspring of the x-radiated females showed a significant weight loss, even to 2 months of age. Thus, when ova were x-rayed before fertilization with normal sperm, normal fertilization occurred and normal offspring were produced from at least the first three successive estrous cycles; after that, various degrees of sterility were evident, depending upon the dose level of the original exposure. Since resorptions (but not anomalies) were increased with the higher doses, dominant lethal and recessive mutatuions may have been obscured by the normal alleles of the unirradiated male mates. The ovarian ovum could not readily be sterilized by x-rays, nor could it be so damaged as to cause congenital anomalies. Nevertheless, one must be aware that all x-rayed ova may carry recessive mutatuions which might be phenotypically evident if they are on the female sex (X) chromosome, unmasked by an allelomorph on the male (Y) chromosome, or might even surface in future generations, if chance combines them with similar genes.