Microwave Exposure Safety Standards — Physiologic and Philosophic Aspects
Sol M. Michaelson · 1968
The 1968 microwave safety standard of 10 mW/cm² was based solely on preventing heating effects, ignoring non-thermal biological impacts.
Plain English Summary
This 1968 review examined microwave exposure safety standards following new US radiation control legislation. The analysis found thermal heating to be the primary health concern from microwave exposure, while evidence for non-thermal effects remained inconclusive. The study supported the 10 mW/cm² exposure standard used in Western countries.
Why This Matters
This foundational 1968 analysis reveals how early EMF safety standards were established based on limited understanding of biological effects. The science demonstrates that regulators focused primarily on preventing immediate thermal damage while dismissing potential non-thermal effects as 'only suggestive.' What's striking is how this thermal-only approach became entrenched in Western safety standards, contrasting sharply with more protective Soviet standards of the era. The reality is that this 10 mW/cm² standard, established over 50 years ago, still influences today's EMF exposure limits despite decades of research showing biological effects occur well below heating thresholds. Put simply, our current safety standards trace back to this era when the science was far more limited and the precautionary principle was largely ignored.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{microwave_exposure_safety_standards_physiologic_and_philosophic_aspects_g3742,
author = {Sol M. Michaelson},
title = {Microwave Exposure Safety Standards — Physiologic and Philosophic Aspects},
year = {1968},
}