Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
THERMAL AND ATHERMAL EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE RADIATION ON THE ACTIVITY OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE IN HUMAN BLOOD
M. L. BELKHODE, D. L. JOHNSON and A. M. MUC · 1974
2.8 GHz microwaves showed no non-thermal effects on blood enzymes at extremely high power levels.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human blood to 2.8 GHz microwave radiation at high power levels (500-1000 mW/cm²) to test effects on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. While heat from the microwaves reduced enzyme activity by up to 80%, the study found no non-thermal effects from the microwave radiation itself. This suggests microwave effects on this enzyme are purely due to heating, not electromagnetic fields.
Why This Matters
This 1974 study provides important context for understanding microwave effects on cellular function. The research specifically separated thermal effects (from heating) from potential non-thermal electromagnetic effects - a critical distinction often overlooked in EMF research. The incident power densities were 500-1000 mW/cm², with 230 ± 70 mW/cm² absorbed.
While the study found no non-thermal effects on this specific enzyme, the research design itself is noteworthy. By holding temperature fixed while varying microwave exposure, the researchers could distinguish between effects caused by heating versus electromagnetic fields themselves.
Finding
The observed average athermal effect on the relative activity was (0.4 +: 1.8)%. This is not statistically significant. Thus no athermal effect of microwave radiation on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed.
In their words
“The observed average athermal effect on the relative activity was (0.4 +: 1.8)%. This is not statistically significant. Thus no athermal effect of microwave radiation on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed.”
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Show BibTeX
@article{thermal_and_athermal_effects_of_microwave_radiation_on_the_activity_of_glucose_6_g5877,
author = {M. L. BELKHODE and D. L. JOHNSON and A. M. MUC},
title = {THERMAL AND ATHERMAL EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE RADIATION ON THE ACTIVITY OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE IN HUMAN BLOOD},
year = {1974},
}