Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Absence of deleterious effects of chronic microwave radiation on the eyes of rhesus monkeys med./bio.

By: McAfee RD, Ortiz-Lugo R, Bishop R, Gordon R
Published in: Ophthalmology 1983; 90 (10): 1243-1245
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate possible harmful effects of microwave irradiation on monkey eyes.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 9.31 GHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 15 min/day, for several months, see add. information
Exposure 2: 2.45 GHz
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 15 min/day, for several months, see add. information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 9.31 GHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 15 min/day, for several months, see add. information
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 0.5 µs
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 15 cm
Chamber The monkeys were irradiated in a cage that had a one meter square acrylic window in one of the walls and a 20 cm square hole in this window for the MW radiation to pass through and expose the monkey's face and eyes.
Setup The animals were only irradiated when they pressed a lever for apple juice which also turned on the MW generator. They did not close their eyes during irradiation.
Additional info Each monkey was allowed to operate the apparatus until 15 min of irradiation time was achieved. The total session lasted an average of 25 min. The accumulated exposure over 35 months ranged in group 1 from 599 to 946 min at 20 mW/g and in group 2 from 408 min at 20 mW/g plus 275 min at 40 mW/g to 820 min at 20 mW/g plus 594 min at 40 mW/g.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 40 kW peak value - - -
power density 150 mW/cm² mean - - -
SAR 20 mW/g mean estimated - -
power density 300 mW/cm² mean - - -
SAR 40 mW/g mean estimated - -
Additional parameter details

The power density was controlled by varying the pulse rate.

Measurement and calculation details

The SAR in the monkey's head was estimated by irradiating a Styrofoam container filled with water.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 15 min/day, for several months, see add. information
Modulation
Modulation type unspecified
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 15 cm
Additional info The accumulated exposure over 4 months ranged in group 3 from 549 to 750 min.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 20 mW/g mean estimated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Microwave irradiation of monkeys did not lead to ocular damage.

Study character:

Study funded by