Richard F. Boggs, Zorach R. Glaser · 1978
This 1978 NIOSH technical report by researchers Boggs and Glaser examined the scientific evidence to develop recommended occupational exposure standards for radiofrequency and microwave radiation in U.S. workplaces. The study represents an early government effort to establish safety limits for workers exposed to RF/microwave radiation on the job. This work laid important groundwork for protecting workers from electromagnetic field exposure decades before consumer wireless devices became widespread.
Q. BALZANO, O. GARAY, F.R. STEEL · 1978
This 1978 study compared how electromagnetic energy from portable radios deposits in human tissue at two frequencies: 450 MHz and 800-900 MHz. Researchers found that higher frequencies (800-900 MHz) concentrate more energy in surface tissue layers, while the shape of the human head creates a focusing effect that drives energy deeper into brain tissue at these higher frequencies.
ROBERT C. BECK · 1978
This 1978 technical report by Beck documented instrumentation methods for detecting and analyzing extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic signals from both natural sources like lightning and man-made sources like power systems. The research also explored techniques for recording human brainwave patterns and their potential interactions with environmental ELF fields.
Unknown authors · 1978
This 1978 Air Force standard established occupational exposure limits for radiofrequency radiation to protect military personnel from RF health risks. The document set permissible exposure levels and safety protocols for workers handling RF equipment. This represents early military recognition that RF radiation posed measurable health risks requiring formal protection standards.
P.A. Neukomm · 1978
Researchers in 1978 studied body-mounted antennas used for medical telemetry, examining radiation patterns and safety concerns when transmitters are placed directly on human subjects. The study found that biological effects from RF exposure are possible and identified optimal frequencies between 75-150 MHz for body-mounted devices. This early research highlighted safety considerations for wearable medical monitoring technology.
J. M. Osepchuk · 1978
This 1978 review examined microwave leakage from consumer microwave ovens manufactured to meet government emission standards. The study found that typical leakage values were well below even the most conservative exposure standards worldwide, with field surveys showing the overwhelming majority of certified ovens leaked well below permissible limits. The research concluded that microwave ovens were safe and becoming increasingly regulated with better leakage suppression techniques.
Quirino Balzano, Oscar Garay, Frances R. Steel · 1978
This 1978 study tested how VHF portable radio transmitters heat human tissue using realistic phantom models of the head and body. Researchers found that a 6-watt portable radio held 0.2 inches from the mouth caused minimal heating (less than 0.1°C) in simulated brain tissue. The study revealed that actual tissue heating was much lower than expected because the antenna's strong static fields collapse at the air-body interface.
Unknown authors · 1978
This 1978 NIOSH government report examined what standards should protect workers from radiofrequency and microwave radiation exposure on the job. The document established criteria for occupational RF exposure limits during an era when workplace electromagnetic field hazards were becoming increasingly recognized. This foundational work helped shape early worker protection policies for electromagnetic radiation.
R. A. Tell, F. Harlan · 1978
This 1978 analysis examined whether the 10 mW/cm² radiofrequency safety standard used in Western countries provides adequate protection from thermal effects. The authors found that while this limit offers sufficient protection above 1 GHz, frequencies below 1 GHz (including the body resonance region) may require exposure limits 10 times lower for adequate safety margins.
Z. Glaser, R. Curtis · 1978
This 1978 technical report documented radiofrequency field intensity measurements at a commercial FM/TV broadcasting tower in El Paso, Texas. The study focused on occupational exposure levels for workers at the transmission facility, providing early data on RF field strengths around high-power broadcast antennas.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health et al. · 1978
In 1978, NIOSH conducted a comprehensive survey of workplace radiofrequency and microwave energy uses to develop the first occupational exposure standards. The study gathered information on workplace practices, engineering controls, and recognized biological effects across frequencies from 0.5 MHz to 300 GHz. This foundational work established the scientific basis for protecting workers from RF/microwave radiation in industrial settings.
Lin JC · 1977
This 1977 study by Lin analyzed how pulsed microwave radiation can cause people to hear sounds that appear to come from inside their head. Using mathematical modeling, researchers showed that microwave energy creates tiny temperature changes in the head that generate acoustic waves, explaining the 'microwave hearing' phenomenon observed in humans and laboratory animals.
Maria A. Stuchly · 1977
This 1977 technical report by Maria Stuchly examined microwave radiation exposure standards and maximum permissible levels (MPL) for occupational settings, comparing safety guidelines between countries like Canada and the USSR. The work focused on revisions to Safety Code 6, a Canadian radiation protection standard that governs microwave exposure limits for workers and the public.
Unknown authors · 1977
This 1977 government report examined electromagnetic radiation safety around Toronto's CN Tower, focusing on radio frequency and television transmission exposures. The study assessed potential health risks from the tower's broadcasting operations, which was significant given the CN Tower's status as one of the world's tallest communication structures at the time.
C.A.L. Bassett et al. · 1977
This 1977 study by Dr. Bassett examined using pulsed electromagnetic fields to heal bone fractures that had failed to heal naturally or through surgery. The research focused on treating pseudarthroses and non-unions (broken bones that won't mend properly) with ELF electromagnetic field therapy. This represents early medical research into therapeutic applications of electromagnetic fields for bone regeneration.
Stephen S. Rosenfeld · 1977
This 1977 research examined non-ionizing radiation sickness, focusing on microwave radiation health effects including the famous 'Moscow Signal' incident where Soviet microwaves targeted the U.S. embassy. The study explored the medical and political dimensions of microwave radiation exposure affecting diplomatic personnel.
Richard A. Tell · 1977
This 1977 EPA technical report analyzed radar exposure levels across the San Francisco Bay Area, measuring electromagnetic radiation from various radar installations. The study documented the scope and intensity of radar emissions affecting residents in one of America's most densely populated metropolitan areas during the height of Cold War radar deployment.
Tell R A · 1977
This 1977 EPA technical report analyzed radar exposure levels across the San Francisco Bay Area, mapping electromagnetic radiation from military and civilian radar installations. The study represents one of the earliest systematic assessments of population-level radar exposure in a major metropolitan area during the height of Cold War radar deployment.
R. S. Molday, S. P. S. Yen, A. Rembaum · 1977
Researchers applied electric pulses of a few thousand volts per centimeter to human red blood cells for microseconds, causing the cell membranes to develop controlled pores that could later reseal. This 1977 study demonstrated that brief, intense electric fields can temporarily breach cellular barriers in predictable ways.
NEUKOMM Peter A. · 1977
This 1977 engineering research examined the technical challenges of designing small antennas that could be mounted directly on the human body for biomedical telemetry applications. The study focused on how body-mounted antennas perform differently than traditional antennas due to their close proximity to human tissue. This work laid important groundwork for understanding how electromagnetic fields interact with the human body when devices are worn or implanted.
Wesley J. Marshall et al. · 1977
US Army researchers studied the eye safety risks from looking directly at various welding processes, including gas tungsten arc welding. They found that all welding methods tested emit potentially dangerous levels of visible light radiation that could harm the retina. However, the recommended protective filter shade numbers were generally adequate to protect welders' eyes.
Arthur W. Guy, Michael D. Webb, John A. McDougall · 1977
This 1977 NIOSH technical report by Guy, Webb and McDougall of the University of Washington exposed models of animals and humans to RF fields produced by differing sources. Power absorption patterns and the rate of power absorption at specific anatomical locations within the models were thermographically recorded under simulated RF industrial exposure conditions using a near-field synthesizer. The results demonstrate the validity of the technique for predicting the magnitude and distribution of RF-induced power absorption in humans and animals, and for extrapolating from animal data to human RF exposure thresholds at 10 to 300 MHz.
Gandhi OP, Hagmann MJ · 1977
This 1977 study used computer models and phantom experiments to map how radiofrequency energy is absorbed throughout the human body. Researchers found that energy absorption varies dramatically with frequency and surrounding environment, with people standing on ground absorbing seven times more RF energy than in free space.
James A. Hathaway et al. · 1977
Researchers examined over 800 microwave and laser workers for eye damage through medical surveillance programs. No lens or retinal problems could be linked to workplace radiation exposure. The study concluded that routine eye exams for these workers were unnecessary and unproductive.
Toler J, Seals J · 1977
This 1977 government report documented the development of measurement systems to study how radiofrequency (RF) radiation interacts with human and animal tissue at the cellular level. The research focused on establishing standardized methods for measuring dielectric properties - essentially how biological tissues absorb and respond to RF energy. This foundational work helped establish early protocols for understanding RF bioeffects and workplace safety standards.
