Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Effects of 2.6-4.0 GHz Microwave Radiation on E-Coli B
J. C. Corelli, R. J. Gutmann, S. Kohazi, J. Levy · 1977
E. coli bacteria showed no effects from 2.6-4.0 GHz microwave exposure in this particular strain.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed E. coli bacteria to microwave radiation at frequencies between 2.6-4.0 GHz for 10-12 hours at absorbed power levels of 20 mW in 1 ml of cellular suspension (a specific absorption rate of 20 W/kg). They found no effects on the bacteria's ability to form colonies or changes in their molecular structure. This suggests these particular microwave frequencies at this power level don't damage this strain of bacteria.
Why This Matters
This study provides an early glimpse into microwave radiation effects on living organisms, though its findings of no biological effects should be interpreted carefully. The exposures used absorbed power of 20 mW in 1 ml of cellular suspension (20 W/kg) for 10-12 hours, and the suspension temperature did not exceed 26°C. No effects on colony forming ability or molecular structure were observed for this particular strain of E. coli.
Finding
At absorbed power levels of 20 mW in 1 ml of cellular suspensions (i.e., a specific absorption rate of 20 W/kg) for 10-12 hour exposures, no effects were observed on either the molecular structure or the CFA for this particular strain of E. coli.
In their words
“At absorbed power levels of 20 mW in 1 ml of cellular suspensions (i.e., a specific absorption rate of 20 W/kg) for 10-12 hour exposures, no effects were observed on either the molecular structure or the CFA for this particular strain of E. coli.”
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagram extracted from the original research document.
Show BibTeX
@article{effects_of_2_6_4_0_ghz_microwave_radiation_on_e_coli_b_g5878,
author = {J. C. Corelli and R. J. Gutmann and S. Kohazi and J. Levy},
title = {Effects of 2.6-4.0 GHz Microwave Radiation on E-Coli B},
year = {1977},
}