8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Whole Body / General

Biological effects of diathermy, in Hodge DM (ed): Radiation Bio-effects--Summary Report January-December 1970, BRH/DBE 70-7

Bioeffects Seen

Mills LF · 1970

Share:

Government research from 1970 documented biological effects from therapeutic microwave diathermy at frequencies now used by consumer devices.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1970 government report examined the biological effects of diathermy, a medical treatment that uses microwave radiation to heat body tissues for therapeutic purposes. The research was part of a comprehensive radiation bio-effects summary conducted by the Bureau of Radiological Health. This early investigation helped establish understanding of how controlled microwave exposure affects human biology in medical settings.

Why This Matters

This 1970 government research represents a crucial early investigation into how microwave radiation affects human biology, even in controlled medical settings. What makes this particularly relevant today is that diathermy devices typically operate at frequencies between 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz - the same bands used by modern cell phones, WiFi routers, and microwave ovens. The science demonstrates that even therapeutic applications of microwave radiation produce measurable biological effects, which raises important questions about chronic exposure from consumer devices.

The reality is that while diathermy intentionally heats tissue for healing, our everyday devices expose us to similar frequencies at lower power levels for hours each day. This early research helped establish that microwave radiation isn't biologically inert - it produces effects beyond simple heating. What this means for you is that the biological activity of microwave frequencies has been documented in scientific literature for over 50 years, yet regulatory agencies continue to focus primarily on thermal effects when setting exposure limits.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Mills LF (1970). Biological effects of diathermy, in Hodge DM (ed): Radiation Bio-effects--Summary Report January-December 1970, BRH/DBE 70-7.
Show BibTeX
@article{biological_effects_of_diathermy_in_hodge_dm_ed_radiation_bio_effects_summary_rep_g6743,
  author = {Mills LF},
  title = {Biological effects of diathermy, in Hodge DM (ed): Radiation Bio-effects--Summary Report January-December 1970, BRH/DBE 70-7},
  year = {1970},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Diathermy is a medical treatment that uses microwave radiation to heat body tissues for therapeutic purposes, typically operating at frequencies between 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
The Bureau of Radiological Health investigated diathermy as part of comprehensive radiation bio-effects research to understand how controlled microwave exposure affects human biology in medical settings and establish safety protocols.
Diathermy devices operate at 915 MHz to 2.45 GHz, the same frequency bands used by cell phones, WiFi routers, and microwave ovens, though at different power levels and exposure durations.
This early research documented that microwave radiation produces biological effects beyond heating, establishing that frequencies now used in consumer devices aren't biologically inert as often claimed by industry.
Yes, this research was included in the Bureau of Radiological Health's comprehensive 1970 radiation bio-effects summary report, demonstrating early government recognition of microwave biological activity.