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An Evaluation of Microwave Emissions from Sensormatic Electronic Security Systems

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Howard I. Bassen · 1980

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Even routine activities like shopping involve microwave exposure from electronic security systems that warranted FDA evaluation.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1980 FDA evaluation examined microwave radiation emissions from Sensormatic electronic security systems, the anti-theft devices commonly found at store entrances. The study assessed whether these systems posed radiation hazards to the public. This represents early government recognition that everyday electronic security devices could be sources of microwave exposure requiring evaluation.

Why This Matters

This FDA evaluation represents a crucial early acknowledgment that electronic security systems deserve scrutiny as potential sources of public microwave exposure. What makes this particularly significant is the ubiquity of these systems - millions of people walk through Sensormatic and similar electronic article surveillance (EAS) gates every day at retail stores, libraries, and other facilities. The fact that the FDA felt compelled to evaluate these devices in 1980 suggests legitimate concerns about their radiation emissions.

The reality is that most people never consider the microwave exposure they receive from anti-theft systems. These devices operate by creating electromagnetic fields that can detect security tags, and people routinely walk directly through these fields. While we don't have the specific findings from this evaluation, the mere existence of this government study underscores that electronic security systems represent another layer of EMF exposure in our daily environment that warrants consideration alongside cell phones, WiFi, and other wireless technologies.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagram extracted from the original research document.

diagramPage 4 - AI-described figure: Figure 1 illustrates inventory control tags and Figure 2 depicts microwave emissions from pillars.
p. 4 of the original PDF

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 915 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 915 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

To reevaluate Sensormatic Electronic Security Systems for potential microwave radiation hazards, confirming earlier Bureau of Radiological Health measurements taken in 1971.

Surveys were made by FDA personnel of several Sensormatic units (including both models HA2 and EA17)...

Maximum power densities measured were less than 200 uW/cm2 at 5 cm and less than 20 uW/cm2 at 10 cm....

Emissions from Sensormatic devices fall well below current U.S. guidelines for permissible exposure of humans to microwave radiation. No public health hazard would occur even if employees or the general public stood near the units for most of the working day.

Cite This Study
Howard I. Bassen (1980). An Evaluation of Microwave Emissions from Sensormatic Electronic Security Systems.
Show BibTeX
@article{an_evaluation_of_microwave_emissions_from_sensormatic_electronic_security_system_g4,
  author = {Howard I. Bassen},
  title = {An Evaluation of Microwave Emissions from Sensormatic Electronic Security Systems},
  year = {1980},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

Sensormatic systems are the anti-theft devices you walk through at store entrances and exits. They create electromagnetic fields to detect security tags on merchandise and emit microwave radiation that the FDA evaluated for potential health risks in 1980.
The FDA recognized that millions of people walk through these electronic article surveillance systems daily, creating potential for widespread public microwave exposure. This 1980 evaluation assessed whether the radiation levels posed health hazards to shoppers and store employees.
Most people encounter these systems multiple times per week when entering and exiting retail stores, libraries, and other facilities. Each passage exposes you to the microwave fields these devices generate to detect security tags on merchandise.
While exposure duration is brief, the fact that the FDA conducted a formal evaluation suggests these systems emit measurable microwave radiation. They represent another layer of EMF exposure in our daily environment that most people never consider.
This evaluation shows that government agencies recognized potential EMF health concerns from everyday electronic devices over 40 years ago. It demonstrates that microwave exposure from common technologies has been a legitimate area of scientific investigation for decades.