NONIONIZING RADIATION IN THE ENVIRONMENT
William A. Mills, Richard A. Tell, David E. Janes, Donald M. Hodge · 1971
A 1971 EPA paper found no established hazard from ambient nonionizing radiation but warned that proliferating broadcast sources intensified a 'potential' health problem for an extremely large proportion of the population.
Plain English Summary
As of February 1, 1971, the FCC listed 892 TV stations and 7,868 broadcasting stations. The paper concluded that while no hazards had been definitively established at current ambient power levels, the increasing number of radiation sources and exposure levels necessitated measurement and evaluation before possible effects became apparent.
Why This Matters
The paper noted that broadcast transmitters and the greatest exposures were concentrated where people lived. Radio and TV stations were permitted to broadcast with powers ranging from 0.001 to 5,000 kilowatts, while microwave stations operated at considerably less power, from 0.0001 to 0.0450 kW. The authors noted that deleterious effects of exposure to microwaves and radio-frequency radiation at high power densities had been observed, while some investigators described less definite effects, including psychological disturbances, at lower power densities. During discussion, changes in brain wave patterns and changes in behavior were cited among effects that had been reported. Calculated power values were said to have little meaning until related to actual power levels in the field and to some real biological effect.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Study Details
To analyze the distribution and proliferation of nonionizing radiation sources in the environment and evaluate potential health risks associated with increasing exposure levels.
The document concludes that while no hazards have been definitively established at current ambient power levels, the increasing number of radiation sources and exposure levels necessitates measurement and evaluation of this radiation source before possible effects become apparent. The potential health problem is described as 'potential' and 'extremely large' due to the large proportion of population exposed.
Show BibTeX
@article{nonionizing_radiation_in_the_environment_g3703,
author = {William A. Mills and Richard A. Tell and David E. Janes and Donald M. Hodge},
title = {NONIONIZING RADIATION IN THE ENVIRONMENT},
year = {1971},
}