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SURVEY OF RADIATION LEVELS GENERATED BY EQUIPMENT USED ON EC-121 AIRCRAFT, AND CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SELECTED CREW MEMBERS

No Effects Found

USAF Radiological Health Laboratory (AFLC) · 1971

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1971 Air Force study found microwave radiation 100x today's public limits during aircraft ground operations, but no crew eye damage.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

The U.S. Air Force surveyed radiation levels on EC-121 military aircraft and examined 50 crew members for health effects. They found microwave radiation exceeding safety limits during ground operations but no hazardous levels during flight, and no eye damage in crew members. The biggest health concern was excessive noise levels during flight.

Cite This Study
USAF Radiological Health Laboratory (AFLC) (1971). SURVEY OF RADIATION LEVELS GENERATED BY EQUIPMENT USED ON EC-121 AIRCRAFT, AND CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SELECTED CREW MEMBERS.
Show BibTeX
@article{survey_of_radiation_levels_generated_by_equipment_used_on_ec_121_aircraft_and_cl_g4238,
  author = {USAF Radiological Health Laboratory (AFLC)},
  title = {SURVEY OF RADIATION LEVELS GENERATED BY EQUIPMENT USED ON EC-121 AIRCRAFT, AND CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SELECTED CREW MEMBERS},
  year = {1971},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Four aircraft systems exceeded 10 mW/cm² during ground operations, with a fifth calculated to exceed this level. This is 100 times higher than current FCC public exposure limits of 0.1 mW/cm².
Clinical examinations of 50 enlisted men found no differences in eye lens condition between the 27 exposed crew members and 23 controls, despite concerns about microwave-induced cataracts.
Sound intensity levels during flight were considerably above recommended values and represented the most significant health hazard discovered, not the electromagnetic radiation from electronic equipment.
No, the survey found no hazardous levels of ionizing radiation, ultraviolet radiation, or microwave radiation aboard the aircraft during actual flight operations.
A potential X-ray exposure hazard was found involving a mockup of the APS-45 radar system in the maintenance shop, highlighting the need for monitoring during equipment servicing and repair.