Environmental Health Criteria 16: Radiofrequency and Microwaves
Sol M. Michaelson · 1982
A book review criticizes the WHO Environmental Health Criteria 16 document for being unbalanced and not meeting usual WHO scientific standards.
Plain English Summary
The review evaluates the World Health Organization's Environmental Health Criteria 16 document on radiofrequency and microwave fields from 100 kHz to 300 GHz. The reviewer finds the publication unbalanced because it accepts nonthermal interaction literature with cursory critique while neglecting refuting evidence. The review notes that the document's designations of high, medium, and low power densities are ambiguous and ignore the frequency dependence of bioeffects. It points out specific errors in Table 10 frequency designations and an incomplete discussion of chronic cataract studies that omitted rabbit and monkey data showing no ocular damage. The reviewer concludes the document does not meet the high scientific caliber and accuracy of usual WHO publications.
Why This Matters
The review criticizes the document's use of the term “electromagnetic pollution” as prejudging the environment and lacking justification in an objective assessment. It notes that the discussion of microwave oven leakage should mention that measurable leakage values are too low to be biologically effective. The reviewer states that sources for probe calibration are readily available in the United States and other countries, contrary to the document's claim. It finds the discussion of Eastern European standards ambiguous due to unclear averaging periods and misleading notation of practical values.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{environmental_health_criteria_16_radiofrequency_and_microwaves_g4350,
author = {Sol M. Michaelson},
title = {Environmental Health Criteria 16: Radiofrequency and Microwaves},
year = {1982},
}