Quantifying Hazardous Microwave Fields: Analysis

Finding

The existing standards for microwave radiation hazards are based upon far-field concepts which may have little or even no validity in near fields. However, hazards occur largely in near fields, and even many dosimetry experiments are carried out in near fields. Because of the great complexity possible in a near field, a probe should, in principle, simulate the individual who might be subject to the possible hazard; however, such a probe is not feasible. Electric energy density provides a reasonable index of a large class of microwave radiation hazards and is simpler to measure in a near field than is energy flow.

In their words

“The existing standards for microwave radiation hazards are based upon far-field concepts which may have little or even no validity in near fields. However, hazards occur largely in near fields, and even many dosimetry experiments are carried out in near fields. Because of the great complexity possible in a near field, a probe should, in principle, simulate the individual who might be subject to the possible hazard; however, such a probe is not feasible. Electric energy density provides a reasonable index of a large class of microwave radiation hazards and is simpler to measure in a near field than is energy flow.”