Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV): potentiation of lethality in mice by microwave radiation.
Lange DG, Sedmak J · 1991
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation increased viral lethality by compromising the blood-brain barrier, suggesting RF exposure may enhance pathogen penetration into the brain.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed mice infected with Japanese encephalitis virus to microwave radiation at 2.45 GHz (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi). They found that microwave exposure made the viral infection significantly more deadly in a dose-dependent manner. The microwaves appeared to increase the permeability of blood vessels in the brain, allowing more virus to enter the central nervous system where it causes fatal damage.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a concerning interaction between microwave radiation and viral infections that deserves serious attention. The researchers used power densities of 10-50 mW/cm² - levels that overlap with exposures from cell phones held close to the head and other wireless devices. What makes this particularly significant is the mechanism identified: microwaves appear to compromise the blood-brain barrier, the critical protective boundary that normally prevents harmful substances from entering brain tissue. The reality is that if microwave radiation can enhance viral penetration into the central nervous system, this raises important questions about how RF exposure might affect our vulnerability to other pathogens or toxic substances. While this was an animal study from 1991, it provides biological plausibility for concerns about RF radiation's effects on barrier function in the body - effects that extend far beyond the heating that regulators focus on.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 24-98 W/kg
- Power Density
- 10 - 50 µW/m²
- Source/Device
- 2.45-GHz
- Exposure Duration
- continuous wave, 10-min exposure
Exposure Context
This study used 10 - 50 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 1,000Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 16.7Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
This study used 24-98 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 60x 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
The aim of this study is to investigate Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV): potentiation of lethality in mice by microwave radiation.
A viremic stage occurs during the first 4 to 5 days after JEV administration in mice, and both micro...
Exposure to microwaves at power densities of 10-50 mW/cm2 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in J...
Show BibTeX
@article{dg_1991_japanese_encephalitis_virus_jev_1139,
author = {Lange DG and Sedmak J},
title = {Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV): potentiation of lethality in mice by microwave radiation.},
year = {1991},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1750827/},
}