Non-thermal microwave effect on nerve fiber function
Pakhomov AG · 1993
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation directly impaired nerve signals through non-thermal mechanisms, challenging heating-only safety standards.
Plain English Summary
Scientists exposed frog nerve fibers to 915 MHz microwave radiation and found nerve signals became weaker and slower. When they heated the nerves conventionally to the same temperature, signals actually strengthened, proving microwaves directly interfere with nerve function beyond simple heating effects.
Why This Matters
This 1993 study provides compelling evidence for what many in the EMF research community have long argued: radiofrequency radiation affects biological systems through mechanisms beyond simple heating. The research demonstrates that microwaves can directly impair nerve function at the cellular level, weakening the electrical signals that our nervous system relies on to function properly. While the exposure levels used (20-30 W/kg) are much higher than typical cell phone emissions (around 1-2 W/kg), the study's key contribution is proving that non-thermal effects exist at all. This challenges the telecommunications industry's long-standing position that EMF exposure is only harmful when it causes measurable heating. The science demonstrates that our safety standards, which are based solely on preventing thermal effects, may be fundamentally inadequate for protecting human health.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 20000 -30000 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 915 MHz
Exposure Context
This study used 20000 -30000 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 50Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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
Effects of microwave radiation (915 MHz, PW, peak SAR 20-30 W/g, pulse duration 1 mcs, 50.000 and 25.000 p.p.s.) were investigated in isolated frog nerve cord preparation.
Nerve VHF heating didn't exceed 2.2 degrees C due to intense Ringer's solution perfusion. It was es...
Show BibTeX
@article{ag_1993_nonthermal_microwave_effect_on_1245,
author = {Pakhomov AG},
title = {Non-thermal microwave effect on nerve fiber function},
year = {1993},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8485199/},
}