RADIATION (Lasers, Microwaves, Electrical Fields)
DE ROUNDS, T LANWILL · 1971
Government researchers recognized potential biological risks from lasers, microwaves, and electrical fields as early as 1971.
Plain English Summary
This 1971 government report examined the biological effects of three types of electromagnetic radiation - lasers, microwaves, and electrical fields - using laboratory cell cultures. The research focused particularly on eye damage from laser energy and general tissue effects from various electromagnetic exposures. This represents early government recognition that multiple forms of electromagnetic radiation could pose biological risks.
Why This Matters
What makes this 1971 government report significant is its early acknowledgment that multiple forms of electromagnetic radiation - not just nuclear radiation - warranted biological investigation. The fact that government researchers were studying lasers, microwaves, and electrical fields together suggests they recognized these technologies shared common mechanisms for biological harm. This is particularly relevant today as we're surrounded by devices that emit all three types of radiation simultaneously - your smartphone uses microwaves for communication, electrical fields for charging, and laser diodes for various sensors.
The focus on cell cultures and eye effects reflects concerns that were already emerging about workplace exposures to these technologies. What's striking is that this research occurred decades before widespread consumer adoption of microwave-emitting devices, yet the biological concerns identified then remain largely unaddressed in today's regulatory standards for everyday exposures.
Finding
TUMOR CELLS SHOWED EXTENSIVE BLEBBING OF CYTOPLASMIC COMPONENTS, STRUCTURELESS AND SWOLLEN MITOCHONDRIA AND NON-NEMBRANE BOUND CLEAR AREAS OF CYTOPLASM. FEW CELLS SHOWED DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEUS SUGGESTING THAT THE PRIMARY SITES OF DAMAGE BY THE UV LASER BEAM ON THE TUMOR CELLS WERE NOT THE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS MACHINERY IN THE CELL.
In their words
“TUMOR CELLS SHOWED EXTENSIVE BLEBBING OF CYTOPLASMIC COMPONENTS, STRUCTURELESS AND SWOLLEN MITOCHONDRIA AND NON-NEMBRANE BOUND CLEAR AREAS OF CYTOPLASM. FEW CELLS SHOWED DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEUS SUGGESTING THAT THE PRIMARY SITES OF DAMAGE BY THE UV LASER BEAM ON THE TUMOR CELLS WERE NOT THE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS MACHINERY IN THE CELL.”
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
TO DETERMINE IF SUBTHRESHOLD LEVELS CF LASER ENERGY IN THE GREEN TO INFRARED PORTION OF THE SPECTRUM CAN PRODUCE CELL (CHROMOSOMAL, GENETIC) CHANGES WHICH CAN PERSIST THROUGH SEVERAL CELL GENERATIONS AND TO SUGGEST A MECHANISM OF ACTION FOR PRODUCING SUCH CHANGES. THESE RESULTS WILL INDICATE WHETHER COMBAT SOLDIERS AND OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL WORKING WITH LASERS SHOULD CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF BASIC CHANGES IN THE CELLS OF THEIR TISSUES EXPOSED TO THIS ENERGY SOURCE.
CELL CULTURES USING HUMAN RETINAS AND HUMAN AND PORCINE SKIN WILL BE USED. CELLS WILL BE EXPOSED TO ...
TUMOR CELLS SHOWED EXTENSIVE BLEBBING OF CYTOPLASMIC COMPONENTS, STRUCTURELESS AND SWOLLEN MITOCHOND...
Show BibTeX
@article{radiation_lasers_microwaves_electrical_fields__g4647,
author = {DE ROUNDS and T LANWILL},
title = {RADIATION (Lasers, Microwaves, Electrical Fields)},
year = {1971},
}