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CardiovascularPart of the Glaser Archive

EFFECTS OF RADAR EMANATIONS ON THE HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM

No Effects Found

Maj Bernard J. Lidman, MC, Capt Clarence Cohn, MC · 1945

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Nine years of radar operator exposure showed no blood system effects, providing early evidence against EMF hematological damage.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1945 Naval Research Laboratory study examined 45 radar operators exposed to radar emissions for up to 9 years, finding no blood abnormalities or health effects. Parallel animal studies on guinea pigs also showed no reproductive, behavioral, or tissue changes from heavy radar exposure.

Why This Matters

This early radar study represents one of the first systematic attempts to assess occupational EMF exposure health effects. The science demonstrates that even with 9 years of direct radar exposure, no measurable blood system changes occurred in naval personnel. What makes this particularly relevant today is the power comparison: researchers found that worst-case radar exposure delivered energy levels similar to medical diathermy treatments, yet at rotating radar installations, exposure was only 0.05-10% of therapeutic levels. Put simply, if these radar operators showed no effects from much higher power exposures than we typically encounter from modern wireless devices, it provides important historical context for current EMF health debates. The reality is that this study, while limited by 1940s methodology, offers a unique long-term occupational exposure dataset that remains relevant for understanding chronic low-level EMF effects.

Cite This Study
Maj Bernard J. Lidman, MC, Capt Clarence Cohn, MC (1945). EFFECTS OF RADAR EMANATIONS ON THE HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM.
Show BibTeX
@article{effects_of_radar_emanations_on_the_hematopoietic_system_g6437,
  author = {Maj Bernard J. Lidman and MC and Capt Clarence Cohn and MC},
  title = {EFFECTS OF RADAR EMANATIONS ON THE HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM},
  year = {1945},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

No. Naval Research Laboratory studies of 45 radar operators exposed for up to 9 years found no changes in red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin levels, or other blood parameters compared to unexposed personnel.
1940s radar delivered energy similar to medical diathermy treatments. However, with rotating radar systems, personnel absorbed only 0.05-10% of therapeutic diathermy power levels, still higher than typical modern wireless device exposures.
Guinea pigs showed no adverse effects from heavy radar exposure. Their behavior, reproduction, growth, and appearance remained normal. Tissue examination including bone marrow showed no changes, and all males maintained active sperm production.
No reproductive effects occurred in either humans or animals. Naval personnel showed no blood abnormalities after years of exposure, while guinea pig studies confirmed normal reproductive activity and active spermatogenesis in all test animals.
Researchers conducted comprehensive tissue examination including bone marrow, reproductive organs, and complete blood analysis. Histological examination revealed no structural changes in any tissues from either human or animal radar exposure studies.