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Proposed Exposure Limits for Microwave and Radiofrequency Radiations in Canada

Bioeffects Seen

M. H. Repacholi · 1978

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A 1978 Canadian paper proposed a 1 mW/cm² limit for continuous exposure at a time when the federal government had no limits at all.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1978 Canadian government paper proposed the first national exposure limits for microwave and radiofrequency radiation, recommending 1 mW/cm² (10 W/m²) for continuous human exposure. The authors argued this limit would protect both workers and the general public while remaining technically feasible for industry compliance.

Why This Matters

This foundational 1978 document reveals how early EMF exposure standards were proposed while the research on biological effects was still disputed. The proposed 1 mW/cm² limit drew on reviews of reported biological effects, including possible genetic, behavioral, and immunological findings, as well as comparisons with other national and international standards. What's striking is that the paper's own survey shows significant differences in limits between Eastern Bloc and Western countries. The paper cites a review concluding that the power density below which significant heating does not occur is 1 mW/cm², and notes that more recent work indicates many so-called non-thermal effects occur via a thermal mechanism.

Finding

The purpose of this paper is to present a rationale for adopting an MPL of 1 mW/cm² (10 pW/cm²) for continuous human exposures. Higher exposure levels would be permitted for short durations.

In their words

“The purpose of this paper is to present a rationale for adopting an MPL of 1 mW/cm² (10 pW/cm²) for continuous human exposures. Higher exposure levels would be permitted for short durations.”

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagram extracted from the original research document.

graphPage 9 - Figure 1 displays proposed exposure limits for microwave and RF radiation across a frequency range from 10 MHz to 300 GHz.
p. 9 of the original PDF
Cite This Study
M. H. Repacholi (1978). Proposed Exposure Limits for Microwave and Radiofrequency Radiations in Canada.
Show BibTeX
@article{proposed_exposure_limits_for_microwave_and_radiofrequency_radiations_in_canada_g6037,
  author = {M. H. Repacholi},
  title = {Proposed Exposure Limits for Microwave and Radiofrequency Radiations in Canada},
  year = {1978},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

The 1978 proposal recommended 1 mW/cm² (10 W/m²) for continuous human exposure to microwave and radiofrequency radiation, with higher levels permitted for short durations.
No, the Canadian Federal Government had no statutory requirements or recommendations for maximum permissible levels of microwave and radiofrequency radiation before this 1978 proposal.
At the time, the ANSI C-95.1 standard recommended an MPL of 10 mW/cm², while this paper proposed 1 mW/cm². The paper notes that significant differences exist in MPLs between Eastern Bloc and Western countries.
The paper outlined the bases for the 1 mW/cm² limit and compared it with other national and international standards. It reviewed reports on possible genetic, behavioral, and immunological effects as well as heating, citing a review that places the power density below which significant heating does not occur at 1 mW/cm².
The authors stated that compliance with the 1 mW/cm² limit should not present major problems for industry, suggesting the standard prioritized technical feasibility.