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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Whole Body / GeneralPart of the Glaser Archive

ABSENCE OF OCULAR PATHOLOGY AFTER REPEATED EXPOSURE OF UNANESTHETIZED MONKEYS IN 9-3 GHZ MICROWAVES

No Effects Found

McAfee, R.D., Longacre, A. Jr., Bishop, R.R. et al. · 1979

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1979 monkey study found no eye damage from 9.3 GHz microwave exposure, informing early safety standards.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1979 study examined whether repeated exposure to 9.3 GHz microwave radiation causes eye damage in monkeys. The research found no ocular pathology (eye damage) after repeated exposures, suggesting this specific frequency and exposure pattern did not harm primate eyes. This research contributed to understanding microwave safety limits for human exposure.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 9.3 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 9.3 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To determine if repeated exposure of unanesthetized monkeys to 9.3-GHz microwaves causes ocular pathology

Unfettered monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were trained to expose the face and eyes to pulsed microwave rad...

No deleterious effects such as cataracts were observed

Cite This Study
McAfee, R.D., Longacre, A. Jr., Bishop, R.R. et al. (1979). ABSENCE OF OCULAR PATHOLOGY AFTER REPEATED EXPOSURE OF UNANESTHETIZED MONKEYS IN 9-3 GHZ MICROWAVES.
Show BibTeX
@article{absence_of_ocular_pathology_after_repeated_exposure_of_unanesthetized_monkeys_in_g5271,
  author = {McAfee and R.D. and Longacre and A. Jr. and Bishop and R.R. et al.},
  title = {ABSENCE OF OCULAR PATHOLOGY AFTER REPEATED EXPOSURE OF UNANESTHETIZED MONKEYS IN 9-3 GHZ MICROWAVES},
  year = {1979},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

No, the study found no ocular pathology (eye damage) in monkeys after repeated exposure to 9.3 GHz microwaves. This suggests this specific frequency and exposure pattern did not harm primate eye tissue.
Eyes are particularly vulnerable to microwave radiation because they have limited blood circulation to remove heat, and the lens has no blood supply at all to protect against thermal damage.
9.3 GHz is higher than most consumer devices. WiFi operates at 2.4-5 GHz, cell phones use 0.7-2.7 GHz, while 9.3 GHz is more typical of radar and specialized industrial applications.
This early primate research helped establish microwave safety standards still used today. Monkeys are considered good models for human microwave exposure because of similar physiology and eye structure.
No, the study specifically used unanesthetized monkeys. This was important because anesthesia could potentially alter how the animals' bodies responded to microwave radiation during exposure periods.