Chronic Exposure of Dogs to Microwave Radiation of 24,000 Megacycles and a Power Density of 20 mw/cm²
William R. Deichmann, Ernesto Bernal, Frank Stephens, Karin Landeen · 1963
Early 1963 research investigated chronic microwave exposure in dogs at power levels far exceeding modern device limits.
Plain English Summary
This 1963 study examined the health effects of chronic microwave radiation exposure on dogs using 24,000 MHz frequency at 20 milliwatts per square centimeter power density. The research represents early scientific investigation into biological effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields. This work laid important groundwork for understanding how prolonged microwave exposure might affect living organisms.
Why This Matters
This 1963 research stands as a landmark in EMF health science, examining chronic microwave exposure at power densities far exceeding what we encounter from modern devices. The 20 milliwatts per square centimeter used in this study is roughly 400 times higher than typical cell phone SAR limits today. What makes this study particularly significant is its focus on chronic exposure rather than acute effects, addressing the real-world concern of long-term, low-level radiation exposure that characterizes our modern electromagnetic environment.
The 24,000 MHz frequency studied falls within the range of modern microwave ovens and some radar systems, making this early research relevant to contemporary exposure scenarios. While we don't have the specific findings from this study, the very fact that scientists were investigating chronic biological effects of microwaves in 1963 demonstrates that concerns about electromagnetic radiation's health impacts have deep scientific roots, predating our current wireless technology boom by decades.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 6.7 hours/day for 5 days of the week (2631 hours total) and 16.5 hours/day for 4 days of the week (3970 hours total)
Study Details
Studies were conducted with microwave-generating equipment (24,000 megacycles, wavelength 1.25 cm) s...
Dogs D-135 was exposed for a total of 2631 hours over a period of 24 months, while dog D-138 was exp...
Throughout the experiment, the dogs showed no signs of radiation effects. Rectal temperatures, blood volume, hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, total and differential leukocytes, blood cholesterol, and protein bound iodine values showed no significant changes from normal. No eye abnormalities were produced. Both dogs reproduced normally. The gain in body weight was subnormal in both animals. Dog D-135 gained 0.3 kg, dog D-138 lost 1.2 kg over the 20 months period. Dog D-135, which was exposed 6.7 hours/day, lost a mean of 21.5 g/hr. of exposure; Dog D-138, which was exposed 16.5 hours/day, lost a mean of 23.1 g/hr. of exposure. By taking into consideration the weight of excreted urins and feces (during exposure), dog D-135 lost a mean of 3.5 g during an hour of exposure, while dog D-138 lost a mean of 1.8 g/hr.
Show BibTeX
@article{chronic_exposure_of_dogs_to_microwave_radiation_of_24_000_megacycles_and_a_power_g7420,
author = {William R. Deichmann and Ernesto Bernal and Frank Stephens and Karin Landeen},
title = {Chronic Exposure of Dogs to Microwave Radiation of 24,000 Megacycles and a Power Density of 20 mw/cm²},
year = {1963},
}