Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Microwave Lens Effects in Humans
COL Budd Appleton, George C. McCrossan · 1972
Military study found no cataract differences between high microwave-exposed personnel and controls in 1972.
Plain English Summary
Military researchers examined the eyes of personnel with the highest occupational microwave exposure levels alongside 135 unexposed controls, with examiners unaware of who had been exposed. They found no difference in lens abnormalities (cataracts, opacities, or other damage) between the two groups, concluding that chronic microwave exposure in military settings wasn't causing cataracts.
Why This Matters
This 1972 military study represents one of the earliest systematic investigations into microwave-induced cataracts, a concern that emerged after laboratory studies showed eye damage in animals exposed to high-intensity microwaves. The researchers used a rigorous double-blind design, examining military personnel with the heaviest occupational exposures available at the time. While the study found no evidence of cataract formation, it's important to understand the limitations. Military microwave exposures in 1972 were likely intermittent and at different frequencies than today's constant wireless exposures. Modern research has identified biological effects at much lower power levels than those considered safe in the 1970s. The reality is that our understanding of EMF bioeffects has evolved significantly, and what seemed harmless decades ago may warrant reconsideration given today's ubiquitous wireless environment and refined detection methods.
Show BibTeX
@article{microwave_lens_effects_in_humans_g5935,
author = {COL Budd Appleton and George C. McCrossan},
title = {Microwave Lens Effects in Humans},
year = {1972},
}