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Technical Coordination Conference on EMP Biological Effects

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F. G. Hirsch, M.D., A. Bruner, Ph.D. · 1970

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This 1970 conference marked the formal beginning of coordinated scientific research into electromagnetic biological effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1970 technical conference examined the biological effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMP), which are intense bursts of electromagnetic energy that can occur naturally or artificially. The conference brought together researchers to coordinate scientific understanding of how these powerful electromagnetic events affect living organisms. This represents some of the earliest formal scientific inquiry into biological responses to electromagnetic fields.

Why This Matters

This 1970 conference represents a pivotal moment in EMF research history - the beginning of formal scientific coordination around electromagnetic biological effects. What makes this particularly relevant today is that electromagnetic pulses, while extreme examples of EMF exposure, help us understand the biological mechanisms that operate across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. The science demonstrates that if intense electromagnetic pulses can affect biological systems, then the chronic, lower-level exposures we face daily from wireless devices, power lines, and modern electronics deserve serious scientific attention. The reality is that this early research laid the groundwork for decades of studies showing that electromagnetic fields interact with biological systems in measurable ways, challenging the outdated assumption that only thermal effects matter for human health.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

diagramPage 5 - Figure 1. Equivalent Diagrammatic EMP Circuit.
p. 5 of the original PDF
graphPage 6 - AI-described figure: Figure 4. Field Density as a Function of Peak Pulse Voltage for ALECS and ARES.
p. 6 of the original PDF
graphPage 7 - Figure 5. Radiative Electric Field Due to Lightning Stroke.
p. 7 of the original PDF
diagramPage 8 - Figure 7. Layout of Maze Used for Rat EMP Exposures.
p. 8 of the original PDF

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: Rats: 3 consecutive pulses separated by 10-15 minute intervals. Monkeys: 9 EMP pulses over a series of exposures. Dogs: 8 pulses spaced about 15 minutes apart. Human subjects: 2-3 months to almost 2 years, 8 hours/day, 5 days/week.

Study Details

To study the biological effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) and discuss areas of interest and suggestions for future work in these areas.

Early work was conducted using ALECS (Air Force-Los Alamos Electromagnetic Calibration Simulator) an...

In rat experiments, there was temporary disruption of maze running ability characterized by prolonge...

Single high-density EMP pulses appear to be harmless. The evidence suggests that single pulses of up to 11 kilovolts per meter can be tolerated with apparent impunity. Chronic exposure studies are needed to determine long-term effects. Current safety guidelines may be overly restrictive and could be raised by at least ten-fold without apprehension. Further research is required to establish firm maximum permissible exposure values for both acute and chronic exposure situations.

Cite This Study
F. G. Hirsch, M.D., A. Bruner, Ph.D. (1970). Technical Coordination Conference on EMP Biological Effects.
Show BibTeX
@article{technical_coordination_conference_on_emp_biological_effects_g4426,
  author = {F. G. Hirsch and M.D. and A. Bruner and Ph.D.},
  title = {Technical Coordination Conference on EMP Biological Effects},
  year = {1970},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

Electromagnetic pulses (EMP) are intense bursts of electromagnetic energy that can occur from nuclear explosions, solar flares, or specialized devices. They represent extreme examples of electromagnetic field exposure that can affect electronic systems and biological organisms.
The 1970 conference aimed to coordinate scientific understanding across multiple research groups studying how electromagnetic pulses affect living organisms. This represented early recognition that electromagnetic fields could have biological effects worth investigating systematically.
While EMPs are much more intense than daily EMF exposure, they help scientists understand the biological mechanisms through which electromagnetic fields interact with living systems. This research foundation applies to understanding chronic, lower-level exposures from modern devices.
This conference marked the formal beginning of coordinated scientific research into electromagnetic biological effects. It established the precedent that electromagnetic fields could affect living organisms, laying groundwork for decades of subsequent EMF health research.
Early EMP biological research helped establish that electromagnetic fields could affect living systems, contributing to the scientific foundation underlying modern EMF exposure guidelines. However, current standards still primarily focus on thermal effects rather than biological mechanisms.