Biological Effects of Microwave Radiation of 24,000 Megacycles
William B. Deichmann · 1966
Scientists documented biological effects from 24 GHz microwave radiation in 1965, decades before similar frequencies became common in consumer technology.
Plain English Summary
This 1965 study by researcher W.B. Deichmann investigated the biological effects of 24,000 megacycle (24 GHz) microwave radiation on rodents. The research examined how exposure to this high-frequency electromagnetic radiation affected living tissue, representing early scientific inquiry into microwave health effects that would later become relevant to modern wireless technology concerns.
Why This Matters
This research represents a critical early investigation into microwave radiation's biological effects, conducted at a time when understanding EMF health impacts was in its infancy. The 24 GHz frequency studied here is particularly relevant today because it falls within the range used by modern 5G networks and airport security scanners. What makes this study significant is its timing - researchers were already documenting biological effects from microwave radiation nearly 60 years ago, long before widespread consumer exposure to similar frequencies.
The reality is that frequencies around 24 GHz can penetrate several millimeters into human tissue, affecting skin and subcutaneous layers. While we use devices emitting similar frequencies daily - from vehicle collision-avoidance systems to industrial sensors - this early research reminds us that biological effects were observable even with 1960s technology and methodology. The science demonstrates that concerns about microwave radiation's health impacts aren't new; they're rooted in decades of documented research.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 20 months for dogs, 3 hours every second day for 11 exposure days for rats
Study Details
To determine the biological effects of microwave radiation of 24,000 megacycles utilizing various experimental animals, with particular focus on acute and chronic exposure effects.
Acute exposure experiments utilized a chamber lined with absorbent shielding to prevent escape of st...
Acute exposure studies showed a straight line relationship between power density and period of survi...
The biological effects of microwave radiation are directly related to the degree of absorption of microwave energy with the resultant production of heat. However, some effects appear to be non-thermal or athermal. The electrocardiographic changes in embryonic chick hearts and fatalities in rats with subnormal body temperatures suggest effects beyond simple heat production. The studies show that a healthy animal can readily adjust to and recover from microwave stress at doses up to 20 mw/cm². The human tolerance level of 10 mw/cm² appears justified based on these data, but modification of this tolerance level should consider factors such as wavelength, time (including Irradiation Cycle Rate), environmental conditions, and body area exposed.
Show BibTeX
@article{biological_effects_of_microwave_radiation_of_24_000_megacycles_g4154,
author = {William B. Deichmann},
title = {Biological Effects of Microwave Radiation of 24,000 Megacycles},
year = {1966},
}