Results of our 15-year study into the biological effects of microwave exposure.

The results obtained during 15 years of clinical and experimental examinations of biological microwave exposure effects are briefly surveyed. Some important results are reported. Based on their experience, the authors present their attitudes concerning harmful microwave effects on living matter. They consider that microwave effects, either direct or indirect, are the results of hyperthermia. Exposure of the living body to irradiation intensities not causing thermal effects do not induce important pathological alterations in the irradiated organisms. Also, it has been pointed out that the term "injury" is more suitable than the term "microwave sickness" when harmful effects of microwaves to the living organism are concerned. According to the authors, the term "microwave sickness" is not acceptable as a synonym for professional diseases of persons working with sources of microwave energy, since it refers to the complex of insufficiently defined symptoms of uncertain etiology.

A study of the health status of radar workers.

The health status was examined of 322 radar workers with a history of occupational exposure in a microwave field from 5-10 years. The clinical findings were compared with a control group of 220 persons. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical and laboratory findings between exposed and control group. Only some subjective complaints were found more frequently in the exposed group than in the control. The authors' feeling is that subjective complaints in radar workers could not be ascribed only to the influence of microwaves because they could be due to other nonspecific harmful occupational factors. On the basis of the results of this work, the authors concluded that it is unlikely to expect marked harmful effects from microwaves in radar workers in normal working conditions.