STUDIES ON THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE IRRADIATION OF THE DOG AND RABBIT
J. W. Howland, S. Michaelson · 1959
1959 animal research into microwave biological effects shows EMF health concerns have deep scientific roots predating modern wireless technology.
Plain English Summary
This 1959 technical report by Howland examined the biological effects of microwave radiation exposure in dogs and rabbits. While specific findings aren't available, this represents early research into how microwave energy affects living tissue in laboratory animals. The study contributed to foundational understanding of microwave biological effects during the early development of radar and microwave technology.
Why This Matters
This 1959 research represents a crucial piece of early microwave safety research, conducted during the post-war boom in radar and microwave technology development. The science demonstrates that concerns about microwave biological effects aren't new - researchers were investigating potential health impacts more than 60 years ago using animal models. What makes this historically significant is the timing: this work preceded the widespread deployment of microwave ovens, cellular networks, and WiFi by decades.
The reality is that today's microwave exposures from phones, WiFi routers, and smart devices operate at similar frequencies to what these researchers studied in 1959. Yet modern safety standards still rely heavily on thermal effects alone, largely ignoring the growing body of evidence for non-thermal biological impacts that early researchers like Howland were already investigating. This historical perspective shows that the EMF health debate has deep scientific roots extending back to the dawn of the microwave age.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: two to six hours
Study Details
To investigate the potential hazards of electromagnetic radiations, detect and characterize the damaging effects of both acute and chronic nature caused by such exposures, establish a lethal change in terms of timed exposure at specific power densities, and establish a tolerance or safe exposure level for individuals working with such generators similar to those already determined for noxious agents and ionizing radiations.
Studies were conducted on dogs exposed to 100 and 165 mw/cm² energies of 2800 megacycle pulsed micro...
Dogs exposed to 165 mw/cm² for three hours showed maximum temperature rise of 5.1°F. Dogs exposed fo...
Studies have been conducted on dogs exposed to 100 and 165 mw/em² energies of 2800 megacycle pulsed microwave for periods of time varying from two to six hours. Observations are reported on 27 normal dogs, 11 dogs receiving 400 r of Co-60 gamma irradiation, and eight survivors of lethal ionizing irradiation from X-ray or Co-60. Observations on 16 rabbits at these levels are given. The clinical behaviour of the dog irradiated with 2800 megacycle microwave is reported. Certain findings from the rabbit study are given. Maximum temperature elevation and physiological heating effect was seen in normal dogs exposed to 165 mw/em² for a two-hour period. A lesser effect was noted in the 100 mw/em² for a six-hour exposure. Occasional lethality is encountered. Observations suggest the possibility of a thermal threshold below which no deleterious effects are noted. Elevation of temperature is accompanied by an increase in hematocrit, variations in leukocyte count and bizarre neurological findings. Temperature increase is proportional to the amount and duration of power. Recovery of all groups is exponential, particularly in those animals exposed to the high (165 mw/em²) power. Occasional rebound to levels lower than the pre-exposure level is noted. Certain deeper tissues and organs accumulate or store heat to much greater degree than do external organs. Dogs previously exposed and clinically recovered from the acute phase of ionizing irradiation injury appear to be more sensitive to the effects of microwave exposure than do normal dogs. Dogs exposed to 400 r of gamma (Co-60) irradiation four to 11 days prior to microwave show an immediate reduction rather than an increase in hematocrit. This may be related to a vascular defect. Although size of the animal groups is small, some additive effect of acute Co-60 and 2800 megacycle microwave may be presumed. A characteristic third-degree type of burn has been produced on the chest, neck or head of seven of 46 animals. These are described and illustrated in many phases of recovery. Delay in appearance of burns and slow healing was characteristic of the radiation survivors. Certain defects in fat absorption and thyroid function are indicated in pilot experiments. Rabbits are much more sensitive to microwave exposure and may not be a good species for experimental study due to a poor temperature regulating mechanism. Preliminary observations on pathological findings are given. In periods of observation of up to nine months for the dog and four months for the rabbit, no cataracts of any type have been produced.
Show BibTeX
@article{studies_on_the_biological_effects_of_microwave_irradiation_of_the_dog_and_rabbit_g3658,
author = {J. W. Howland and S. Michaelson},
title = {STUDIES ON THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE IRRADIATION OF THE DOG AND RABBIT},
year = {1959},
}