A Study of the Possible Biological Effects of SANGUINE
Leonard L. Libber, Thomas C. Rozzell
Navy report describes planned laboratory and field studies of the possible biological effects of the proposed SANGUINE ELF submarine communication system.
Plain English Summary
This technical report examined potential biological effects of SANGUINE, a proposed U.S. Navy extremely low frequency (ELF) system that, if built, would communicate with submerged submarines from a single transmitter site in the United States. The study set out to determine whether the ELF fields of the proposed system could have any effect on the biological species in the environment. This research was part of early efforts to understand health implications of large-scale military ELF installations.
Why This Matters
SANGUINE was a proposed Navy ELF communication system that would transmit below 100 Hz through a transmitting antenna many miles long. What makes this report significant is that it describes a Navy research program of planned laboratory and field studies on the possible biological effects of a proposed system, covering organisms from domestic fowl to migratory fishes. The program was meant to provide a basis for a rational evaluation of the potential biological impact of Project SANGUINE. The Navy initiated this biological research program in 1969.
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 Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.5 gauss
- Electric Field
- 10 v/m
Exposure Context
This study used 10 v/m for electric fields:
- 33.3x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.3 V/m
This study used 0.5 gauss for magnetic fields:
- 25x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 5x above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
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.},
}