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Scientists are pondering the effects of very-low microwave levels on human beings

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Edward Gross · 1969

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1969 scientists questioned safety of very low microwave levels, foreshadowing today's concerns about chronic wireless exposures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists in 1969 examined how very low levels of microwave radiation might affect human health, including potential eye damage like cataracts. This early research explored biological effects from microwave exposure levels much lower than those previously studied. The work helped establish the foundation for understanding subtle health impacts from everyday microwave sources.

Why This Matters

This 1969 research represents a pivotal moment in EMF science when researchers first began questioning whether 'safe' microwave levels might not be so safe after all. The focus on very low microwave exposures was groundbreaking because it challenged the prevailing assumption that only high-power microwaves could harm human health. The mention of cataracts is particularly significant since eye damage from microwave exposure was one of the first documented biological effects, leading to safety standards that persist today.

What makes this study especially relevant now is how it presaged our current concerns about chronic, low-level exposures from WiFi, cell phones, and other wireless devices. The microwave frequencies these scientists were investigating in 1969 are remarkably similar to those now flooding our homes and workplaces 24/7. The reality is that we're conducting a massive experiment on ourselves with exposures that concerned scientists over half a century ago.

Exposure Details

Power Density
10 milliwatts per square centimeter

Exposure Context

This study used 10 milliwatts per square centimeter for radio frequency:

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 10 milliwatts per square centimeterExtreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 10 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 300 MHz to 300 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 300 MHz to 300 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To investigate the effects of very-low microwave levels on human beings

Cite This Study
Edward Gross (1969). Scientists are pondering the effects of very-low microwave levels on human beings.
Show BibTeX
@article{scientists_are_pondering_the_effects_of_very_low_microwave_levels_on_human_being_g3907,
  author = {Edward Gross},
  title = {Scientists are pondering the effects of very-low microwave levels on human beings},
  year = {1969},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

The study doesn't specify exact levels, but 1969 'very low' microwave exposures likely referred to power densities far below heating thresholds. These levels would be comparable to or higher than today's WiFi and cell phone exposures that we now consider routine.
Cataracts were among the first documented biological effects from microwave radiation. The eye's lens lacks blood circulation to dissipate heat, making it particularly vulnerable to microwave damage. This concern led to early safety standards for microwave ovens and radar equipment.
Modern WiFi, Bluetooth, and cell phones operate in similar microwave frequency ranges that concerned scientists in 1969. However, today's devices expose us continuously at levels these early researchers were just beginning to study for potential health effects.
Beyond cataracts, researchers were exploring whether very low microwave levels could cause subtle biological changes in humans. This marked a shift from studying obvious thermal effects to investigating potential non-thermal impacts on cellular and organ function.
This research challenged the assumption that only high-power microwaves could harm humans. By investigating very low levels, scientists began exploring whether chronic, subtle exposures might cause long-term health effects without immediate obvious symptoms.