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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Whole Body / GeneralPart of the Glaser Archive

Search for Millimeter Microwave Effects on Enzyme or Protein Functions

No Effects Found

P. Tuengler, F. Keilmann, L. Genzel · 1979

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Millimeter wave radiation showed no effects on isolated enzymes, but whole living systems remain inadequately studied.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed enzymes and proteins to millimeter wave radiation (40-115 GHz) at 10 mW/cm² to test for biological effects. They found no detectable changes in alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme activity or hemoglobin oxygen binding. The study suggests these specific proteins are resistant to millimeter wave effects at the tested intensity.

Finding

No micro- wave influences were detectable within our experimental sensitivity of about 0.1% of the reaction rate in (i), or of the amount of bound oxygen at half saturation in (ii).

In their words

“No micro- wave influences were detectable within our experimental sensitivity of about 0.1% of the reaction rate in (i), or of the amount of bound oxygen at half saturation in (ii).”
Cite This Study
P. Tuengler, F. Keilmann, L. Genzel (1979). Search for Millimeter Microwave Effects on Enzyme or Protein Functions.
Show BibTeX
@article{search_for_millimeter_microwave_effects_on_enzyme_or_protein_functions_g65,
  author = {P. Tuengler and F. Keilmann and L. Genzel},
  title = {Search for Millimeter Microwave Effects on Enzyme or Protein Functions},
  year = {1979},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers continuously varied the frequency from 40 to 115 GHz, covering much of the millimeter wave spectrum. This range overlaps significantly with frequencies used in modern 5G wireless networks, making the findings relevant to current technology discussions.
The study used 10 mW/cm² (milliwatts per square centimeter), which is relatively high compared to typical environmental exposures. For context, this is much stronger than what you'd encounter from 5G base stations at normal distances.
Researchers tested alcohol dehydrogenase (involved in alcohol metabolism) and hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in blood). They could detect changes as small as 0.1% in enzyme activity, providing sensitive measurements of potential effects.
The scientists selected alcohol dehydrogenase and hemoglobin because they represent fundamental biological processes - metabolism and oxygen transport. These proteins have well-understood functions that can be precisely measured, making them good test cases for detecting subtle radiation effects.
No, this study only tested isolated proteins in laboratory conditions, not living cells or organisms. While it shows these specific enzymes weren't affected, complex biological systems involve many interacting components that weren't examined in this early research.