Human exposure to nonionizing radiant energy--potential hazards and safety standards
Michaelson SM · 1972
Early 1972 research recognized nonionizing radiation health risks, establishing foundational safety standards still relevant today.
Plain English Summary
This 1972 conference paper by Michaelson examined human exposure to nonionizing radiation and the safety standards needed to protect workers and the public. The research focused on identifying potential health hazards from various sources of electromagnetic energy and establishing appropriate exposure guidelines. This represents early foundational work in EMF safety research during a period when such exposures were rapidly increasing in industrial and medical settings.
Why This Matters
This 1972 research represents a pivotal moment in EMF health science - when researchers first began systematically examining the biological effects of nonionizing radiation and the need for protective standards. Michaelson's work came at a time when microwave ovens, radar systems, and medical diathermy equipment were becoming widespread, yet safety guidelines were largely nonexistent. The science demonstrates that even five decades ago, researchers recognized the potential for biological effects from electromagnetic exposures well below thermal levels.
What makes this particularly relevant today is how prescient these early safety concerns have proven. The reality is that our daily EMF exposures now far exceed what these pioneering researchers were studying, yet many of the fundamental questions they raised about long-term health effects remain inadequately addressed. You don't have to accept that progress in technology should outpace our understanding of its biological consequences.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To review the pathophysiology of exposure to ultraviolet, infrared, coherent electromagnetic/radiation (laser), microwaves, and radio-frequency radiation, and the protection guides which have been established for these energies
Protection standards are the results of empirical approaches to various problems reflecting current qualitative and quantitative knowledge. A numerical value for a standard of effect implies a knowledge of the effect produced at a given level of stress, and that both effect and stress can be measurable. One problem is the definition of what an "effect" is and whether it can ultimately be shown to modify men's "way of life" or that of his offspring. If there were a clear-cut relationship between exposure level and pathophysiologic effect, the problem of setting standards would be greatly simplified. Not only are there numerous variables to be considered, but it is often difficult or impossible to obtain the necessary data to draw valid conclusions concerning effects of exposure to various radiant energies. It is important to maintain a proper perspective, and assess realistically the biomedical effects of these radiant energies so that the worker or general public will not be unduly exposed nor will research, development, and beneficial utilization of these energies be hampered or restricted by an undue concern for effects which may be nonexistent or minimal in comparison to other environmental hazards. There is a need for scientific competence—research aimed at creating credible knowledge and data which can stand against the pressure of legal challenge as well as the understandable bias of special interest groups.
Show BibTeX
@article{human_exposure_to_nonionizing_radiant_energy_potential_hazards_and_safety_standa_g6544,
author = {Michaelson SM},
title = {Human exposure to nonionizing radiant energy--potential hazards and safety standards},
year = {1972},
}