A Study of the Possible Biological Effects of SANGUINE
Leonard L. Libber, Thomas C. Rozzell
Military study examined health effects of SANGUINE's powerful ELF submarine communication system exposing entire populations.
Plain English Summary
This technical report examined potential biological effects of SANGUINE, the U.S. Navy's extremely low frequency (ELF) communication system used to communicate with submarines worldwide. The study investigated whether the powerful ELF transmissions could impact human health or biological systems. This research was part of early efforts to understand health implications of large-scale military ELF installations.
Why This Matters
The SANGUINE system represents one of the most powerful ELF transmission systems ever deployed, operating at frequencies around 76 Hz with transmitter power reaching millions of watts. What makes this research significant is that it examined biological effects from a real-world ELF source that exposed entire populations to extremely low frequency fields. Unlike typical laboratory studies, SANGUINE created measurable ELF exposures across hundreds of miles from its transmission sites in Wisconsin and Michigan. The reality is that this military communication system provided an unprecedented natural experiment in population-level ELF exposure, making studies like this crucial for understanding how large-scale ELF installations might affect human health. The fact that the military commissioned biological effects research suggests they recognized the potential for health impacts from their powerful transmission systems.
Finding
In the course of their studies, Dr. Libber and Dr. Rozzell have found that electromagnetic fields are capable of altering the behavior of certain organisms. In a number of cases they have observed significant effects on the growth and development of plants and animals. These effects have been observed both in laboratory and field settings. In some cases, the effects have been observed at levels as low as 10 v/m and 0.1 gauss. In other cases, the effects have been observed at levels as high as 100 v/m and 10 gauss.
In their words
“In the course of their studies, Dr. Libber and Dr. Rozzell have found that electromagnetic fields are capable of altering the behavior of certain organisms. In a number of cases they have observed significant effects on the growth and development of plants and animals. These effects have been observed both in laboratory and field settings. In some cases, the effects have been observed at levels as low as 10 v/m and 0.1 gauss. In other cases, the effects have been observed at levels as high as 100 v/m and 10 gauss.”
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To determine whether ELF radiation levels associated with a SANGUINE System can be expected to have any effect on the biological species in the environment
A comprehensive biological research program was initiated by the Navy through the Naval Electronic S...
The results of the independent researchers will hopefully serve as a basis for a rational evaluation of the potential biological impact of Project SANGUINE. These results will be published in the open literature.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_study_of_the_possible_biological_effects_of_sanguine_g4147,
author = {Leonard L. Libber and Thomas C. Rozzell},
title = {A Study of the Possible Biological Effects of SANGUINE},
year = {n.d.},
}