Postmastectomy patient with sensitivity to microwave oven in operative area

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1978 case study documented a postmastectomy patient who experienced sensitivity to microwave oven radiation in the area where surgery had been performed. The research explored how surgical sites might create heightened vulnerability to electromagnetic field exposure. This represents early clinical evidence that tissue damage or surgical trauma could increase EMF sensitivity.

Why This Matters

This case study from 1978 describes a postmastectomy patient who reported a strange sensation in the operative area near her new microwave oven, and the conclusion that the radiation could not account for it. The author found that probable exposure levels were certainly three and probably four times below threshold levels for sensation, and that the sensation was likely due to warm air blown out the ventilation port or psychogenic factors.

The reality is that a single patient's report is not evidence of increased tissue sensitivity: there is no scientific basis to believe she was likely to suffer any harm from this experience. The case shows why a reported sensation needs to be compared against probable exposure levels before it is attributed to radiation.

Exposure Details

Power Density: 1 mW/sq cm

Exposure Context

This study used 1 mW/sq cm for radio frequency:

100Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
1.7Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Details

It is concluded that in this case there is no possibility that the patient could have sensed the microwave radiation since probable exposure levels are certainly three and probably four times below threshold levels for sensation. The sensation is likely due to warm air being blown out the ventilation port or psychogenic factors. There is no scientific basis to believe that the patient is likely to suffer any harm from this experience.

Cite This Study

Michaelson SM (1978). Postmastectomy patient with sensitivity to microwave oven in operative area.

Show BibTeX

@article{postmastectomy_patient_with_sensitivity_to_microwave_oven_in_operative_area_g6720,
  author = {Michaelson SM},
  title = {Postmastectomy patient with sensitivity to microwave oven in operative area},
  year = {1978},
  
  
}

No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

The case study described a postmastectomy patient who reported a strange sensation in the operative area as she approached a newly purchased microwave oven. The author concluded there was no possibility she could have sensed the radiation; the sensation was likely due to warm air blown out the ventilation port or psychogenic factors.

The patient reported that shielding the operative area with an aluminum pan or foil seems to prevent the sensation. The author concluded the sensation is likely due to warm air blown out the ventilation port or psychogenic factors.

Probable exposure levels were certainly three and probably four times below threshold levels for sensation.

There is no scientific basis to believe the patient is likely to suffer any harm from this experience. Probable exposure levels were certainly three and probably four times below threshold levels for sensation.

After recently purchasing a microwave oven, the patient, who had a right-sided mastectomy, noticed a strange sensation in the operative area as she approached the oven when it was turned on.