Browse 6,486 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.
Showing 773 studies (Human Studies) from Glaser RF/Microwave Archive
J. D. Hardy, D. Murgatroyd
Military researchers studied how high-intensity thermal radiation affects human pain perception and tissue damage across different body areas. The study examined how the size and location of exposed body areas influence pain response, using pain as an indicator of tissue damage. This research aimed to understand thermal radiation effects on military personnel exposed to flames and special weapons.
Arne Eriksson, Kjell Hansson Mild
Researchers measured radiofrequency electromagnetic fields around plastic welding machines and found that operators are exposed to RF levels that substantially exceed occupational safety standards at distances up to 1 meter from the equipment. The study tested various shielding methods and found that proper RF suppression devices can reduce these dangerous exposure levels to acceptable limits.
HADUCH, S
This NASA technical report investigated how high-frequency electromagnetic fields affect the human body, with particular focus on white blood cells (leukocytes) and neutrophil granulocytes. The research examined biological responses to radiofrequency radiation exposure, contributing to our understanding of how EMF affects immune system components.
Unknown authors
This technical report studied how transmission loss changes as the distance between an antenna and the human body increases, using 158 MHz radio frequency signals. The research examined electromagnetic scattering patterns around metallic cylinders and body phantoms to understand how proximity affects signal strength. This type of research helps determine safe operating distances for radio equipment and informs exposure guidelines.
John Roman
This technical report examined radio frequency hazards to human health, with particular focus on microwave heating effects and lens opacities (cataracts). The research documented biological effects from RF exposure and assessed potential health risks from electromagnetic radiation.
Unknown authors
Researchers developed a new radiofrequency device that can safely heat deep internal tumors to cancer-killing temperatures (above 42°C) without burning surface skin tissue. Testing on 52 human tumors showed 81% reached therapeutic temperatures, with surface tissues remaining at normal body temperature throughout treatment.
Unknown authors
The extended-boundary-condition method (EBCM) has been used with prolate spheroid models of man and animals to generate much of the theoretical data used in the current dosimetry handbook. When large a/b ratios (typical of man) or large magnitude permittivities are used with the EBCM, the matrix becomes ill-conditioned, thus disallowing calculations above a certain maximum frequency. Researchers followed the algorithm of Golub and Reinsch to develop a FORTRAN program for inversion of ill-conditioned complex matrices, which appeared significantly more stable than standard matrix inversion procedures.
Unknown authors
Researchers compared how low-frequency magnetic fields and electric currents trigger phosphenes (visual flashes when eyes are closed). Both methods produced nearly identical visual effects up to 20 Hz, but magnetic fields showed unique sensitivity patterns at higher frequencies around 30-35 Hz. This reveals fundamental differences in how electromagnetic energy interacts with human visual perception.
Unknown authors
This technical report measured electromagnetic activity naturally produced by the human body across frequencies from 1 kHz to 2 GHz, using advanced equipment including microwave radiometers and medical monitoring devices. The research documented the body's own electromagnetic emissions, including thermal radiation and bioelectrical signals from organs like the heart and brain. This work helps establish baseline measurements for understanding how external EMF sources interact with the body's natural electromagnetic environment.
Unknown authors
Scientists studied how microwave radiation is absorbed by the human body using layered models that include skin, fat, and muscle tissues. They discovered that at 1.2 GHz, these body layers create a resonance effect that doubles radiation absorption compared to simpler models. This finding suggests that realistic body composition significantly affects how much electromagnetic energy we absorb from wireless devices.
Unknown authors
Researchers measured how radiofrequency radiation is absorbed by human and animal tissue models when exposed to near-field conditions (close-range exposure) versus far-field conditions. They found that near-field exposure creates different absorption patterns and potentially dangerous "hot spots" of concentrated radiation in body tissues. This matters because most of our daily EMF exposure comes from devices held close to our bodies, like cell phones.
Unknown authors
This technical paper examined using electromagnetic waves to thaw and recover cryogenically-preserved human organs for transplantation. The research focused on solving technical problems with electromagnetic thawing methods that could enable a nationwide organ banking system. The study represents an unusual medical application of RF energy for organ preservation rather than typical EMF health effects research.
redacted
Researchers used 915 MHz microwave diathermy on healthy volunteers' thigh muscles while measuring blood flow at different depths. They found blood flow increased dramatically from 2 to 32 ml/min/100g, with deeper muscle tissue showing different response patterns than surface tissue. This demonstrates how microwave energy penetrates and affects human tissue circulation.
Unknown authors
This technical report analyzed how radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are absorbed by the human body, measuring Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for both partial-body and whole-body exposure scenarios. The research used mathematical models to calculate how much RF energy different parts of the body absorb at various frequencies. This type of analysis forms the foundation for understanding how wireless devices and other RF sources affect human tissue.
Unknown authors
This technical report examined the physiological effects of electric currents on the human body, with particular focus on dangerous outcomes like ventricular fibrillation (irregular heartbeat that can be fatal). The research documented how different levels of electrical current affect human physiology and established safety thresholds for electrical exposure.
J. D. Hardy, D. Murgatroyd
This military research examined how humans respond to high-intensity thermal radiation, measuring pain thresholds, skin temperature changes, and tissue damage in military personnel. The study investigated the biological effects of intense heat exposure on human subjects. This research provides foundational data on thermal radiation's impact on human tissue, relevant to understanding how electromagnetic energy affects the body.
Unknown authors
This technical report examined occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields among workers near power lines and those using video display terminals (VDTs), focusing on potential links to leukemia and reproductive health effects. The research addressed workplace EMF exposure levels and associated health risks in occupational settings. This type of occupational health research helps establish safety guidelines for workers routinely exposed to EMF sources.
Bill Rados
This study examined video display terminals (VDTs) for various types of radiation emissions including X-rays, radiofrequency, microwave, and ultrasound. The research found that VDTs passed medical safety tests, indicating radiation levels were within acceptable limits. This work contributed to early workplace safety standards for computer monitors.
Vogt, A.
This early research by Vogt measured how infrared radiation passes through different parts of the human eye, including the eyeball itself, its internal structures, and the eyelid. The study examined the eye's transparency to infrared energy, which is relevant to understanding how electromagnetic radiation interacts with one of our most sensitive organs. This foundational work helped establish how the eye responds to non-visible electromagnetic radiation.
Clinton Cox, William E. Murray, Jr., Edward P. Foley, Jr.
This NIOSH technical report examined radiofrequency radiation exposures from RF dielectric heat sealers in workplace settings. The study focused on occupational health risks, particularly potential effects on reproductive functions from these industrial heating devices. This research contributes to understanding how workers may be affected by high-power RF equipment used in manufacturing.
Rutger Wever
This research by Wever examined how electric fields influence human circadian rhythms, the internal biological clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and other daily functions. The study investigated whether exposure to electric fields can act as a zeitgeber (external time cue) that affects our natural 24-hour biological patterns. This research is significant because it explores how man-made electromagnetic environments might disrupt our fundamental biological timing systems.
C. J. Chilton
This review examined research on biological radio communication, exploring whether humans and other organisms might naturally transmit or receive electromagnetic signals. The study investigated concepts like telepathy, biocurrents, and electromagnetic field interactions with biological systems. While no specific findings are available, this represents early scientific inquiry into whether living beings use electromagnetic frequencies for communication.
James Greene
This study examined microwave diathermy, a medical treatment that uses microwave radiation to generate therapeutic heat deep within body tissues. The research explored how controlled microwave exposure can provide healing benefits through targeted tissue heating. This medical application demonstrates that microwaves can produce measurable biological effects in human tissue.
Peter W. Barber et al.
Researchers used computer models to study how microwave radiation penetrates different layers of human tissue (skin, fat, muscle). They discovered that the body's layered structure creates a resonance effect at 1.8 GHz, causing 34% more radiation absorption than previously predicted by simpler models.
Habib Massoudi, Carl H. Durney, Curtis C. Johnson
Researchers compared two mathematical models for calculating specific absorption rate (SAR) - how much radiofrequency energy human and monkey bodies absorb from electromagnetic waves. They found that both the 'conductor' and 'dielectric' models produce similar SAR calculations when tissues have high electrical conductivity, but the conductor model becomes inaccurate at low conductivity levels.