Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The non thermal effect of weak intensity millimeter waves on physicochemical properties of water and water solutions med./bio.

By: Ayrapetyan G, Hayrapetyan H, Dadasyan E, Barseghyan S, Baghdasaryan N, Mikayelyan E, Ayrapetyan S

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2009; 28 (4): 331-341

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To compare the effects of millimeter waves and infrared irradiation on thermal properties, specific absorption rate, specific electrical conductivity and hydrogen peroxide content of distilled water and physiological solutions.

Background/further details

The authors hypothesized that water dipole vibration-induced changes of water dissociation (i.e. H₂O + H₂O = H₃O⁺ + OH^-) upon millimeter wave exposure could serve as the main mechanism through which its non-thermal effect on water physicochemical properties is realized. In contrast, it was suggested that an electromagnetic field near infrared frequencies is unable to produce vibration of water molecule dipole.

Endpoint

different physicochemical properties of water and a physiological solution

Exposure

- 160 GHz
- millimeter waves
- also other exposures without EMF
- therapeutic/medical device

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 160 GHz Modulation type: FM Exposure duration: continuous for 10 min.	power density: 5.8 mW/cm²

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	160 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 10 min.

Modulation

Modulation type	FM
Modulation frequency	4 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	millimeter wave generator + dielectric antenna
Setup	antenna placed above the samples at a distance of 1 mm - 2 mm
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	5.8 mW/cm²	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

water and a physiological solution

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

specific absorption rate and thermal properties (calorimetry), specific electrical conductivity (conductometer), and hydrogen peroxide content (chemiluminescence) of distilled water and a physiological solution; fusion heat of frozen samples

Investigated system:

water and a physiological solution

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The thermal effect of millimeter wave exposure (i.e. temperature increase of the solutions) appeared only after the first minute of irradiation, while the infrared heating started from the first minute of exposure. The heat fusion time of frozen millimeter wave-exposed aqueous solutions was significantly shorter than of sham exposed and infrared-treated solutions. Additionally, millimeter wave exposure had a time-dependent elevation effect on water specific electrical conductivity and SAR value, which was accompanied by the increase of hydrogen peroxide formation.
The authors suggest that the millimeter wave-induced vibration of water dipole molecules caused the non-thermal changes of physicochemical properties of distilled water and the physiological solution, which promoted the formation of hydrogen peroxide in water.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Torgomyan H et al. (2011): Low intensity electromagnetic irradiation with 70.6 and 73 GHz frequencies affects Escherichia coli growth and changes water properties
Holysz L et al. (2007): Effects of a static magnetic field on water and electrolyte solutions
Binhi VN et al. (2007): Magnetobiology: The kT Paradox and Possible Solutions
Gugkova OI et al. (2005): [The study of the mechanisms of formation of reactive oxygen species in aqueous solutions on exposure to high peak-power pulsed electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequencies]