Unknown authors · 1987
The NIH convened a consensus development conference in 1987 to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. This government report examined the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields used in MRI scanners and their potential health effects on patients. The conference established early safety guidelines for this powerful medical imaging technology.
Kjell Hansson Mild et al. · 1987
Swedish researchers studied the health effects of high-level radiofrequency radiation exposure in plastic welding operators, who work with industrial RF equipment that generates intense electromagnetic fields. This 1987 technical report examined workers experiencing some of the highest occupational RF exposures, providing early evidence about potential health impacts from intense radiofrequency radiation.
Chang-Zern Hong · 1987
Researchers exposed human nerves to static magnetic fields of 1 tesla (extremely strong medical-grade magnets) for 15 seconds and measured nerve function. They found that nerve excitability increased significantly during exposure, with effects appearing within 5 seconds and disappearing 3 minutes after exposure ended. This demonstrates that magnetic fields can directly alter human nerve function in real-time.
Unknown authors · 1987
This 1987 NIH consensus development conference brought together medical experts to establish official guidelines for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety and clinical use. The conference addressed the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields used in MRI scanners and their potential health effects. This represents one of the earliest formal government assessments of RF exposure from medical imaging technology.
Kolmodin-Hedman B et al. · 1987
Swedish researchers studied 113 plastic welding machine operators exposed to radiofrequency radiation and found significant health problems including eye irritation, hand numbness, and impaired nerve function. Over half the machines exceeded safety limits, with the highest exposures affecting workers' hands in clothing factories.
Michael Kachmar · 1986
This 1986 study examined radiation protection approaches for microwave exposure, focusing on protective suits and EM Guard technology across different body sizes from small to extra-large. The research evaluated attenuation capabilities of protective equipment designed to shield humans from microwave radiation exposure.
Martino Grandolfo · 1986
This 1986 review analyzed radiofrequency and microwave exposure standards across different countries, finding dramatic variations in what governments consider 'safe' levels. Occupational exposure limits differed by factors of 20 to 100 between nations, while public exposure standards varied by factors of 20, revealing significant disagreement about EMF safety even among experts.
Unknown authors · 1986
This 1986 Swedish study examined 716 childhood cancer cases in Stockholm County, comparing magnetic field exposure from power lines at children's homes to matched controls. Children living near 200-kV power lines or in areas with magnetic fields above 0.3 μT had twice the cancer risk, with the strongest association for nervous system tumors.
Robert F. Cleveland · 1985
This 1985 government report by Robert F. Cleveland evaluated how well radiofrequency radiation sources were following FCC guidelines designed to protect humans from excessive exposure. The study examined compliance with federal safety standards that were established to limit RF radiation exposure from various sources. This work represents an early systematic assessment of whether real-world RF exposures were staying within officially deemed safe limits.
Jonathan M. Charry, William H. Bailey, T. Dan Bracken · 1985
This 1985 study measured the electrical environment around computer monitors (VDTs) to investigate reports of skin rashes and health complaints among operators. Researchers found that VDTs reduced beneficial negative ions in their immediate vicinity and created DC electric fields up to 5,000 volts per meter at close range, though these levels were comparable to common indoor electrical charges.
D E Oliver et al. · 1984
This 1984 physiotherapy research examined pulsed electromagnetic energy (PEME) as a treatment modality, comparing it with ultrasound therapy for various medical conditions including spina bifida and venous ulcers. The study represents early clinical investigation into therapeutic electromagnetic field applications in rehabilitation medicine.
S.M. Harvey · 1984
Researchers measured electric fields from computer monitors (CRTs) across frequencies from DC to 1 MHz using sensors on a human body model. They found three distinct field sources: the charged screen, flyback transformer, and low-voltage circuits. All measured exposures fell below existing workplace safety guidelines.
Louis Slesin · 1984
This 1984 research examined radiation emissions from computer terminals (VDTs), focusing on what was known and unknown about health effects including pregnancy complications and miscarriages. The study addressed growing concerns about electromagnetic field exposure from workplace computer use during the early personal computer era.
Thomas C. Rozzell · 1984
This 1984 document reports on West Germany's publication of electromagnetic field exposure standards for both electric and magnetic fields across different frequencies. The standards addressed occupational exposure limits, representing an early governmental effort to regulate EMF exposure based on available scientific understanding at the time.
R. L. Waterfield, J. A. Allstadt · 1983
This 1983 government study developed systematic methods for locating radiofrequency sealer equipment across a state and measuring worker exposures to RF radiation. The research created standardized procedures for identifying these industrial heating devices, measuring their operating frequencies and field strengths, and analyzing how much RF energy workers encounter during operation.
G. Fontanesi, F. Giancecchi, R. Rotini, R. Cadossi · 1983
Researchers treated 35 patients with broken bones that wouldn't heal using low-frequency electromagnetic pulses applied up to 12 hours daily. The treatment successfully healed 88.5% of the difficult fractures in an average of 6 months, working particularly well for infected breaks and failed bone grafts.
B.M. Savin et al. · 1983
This 1983 research by B.M. Savin examined changes in microwave radiation exposure standards, likely comparing different national approaches to radiofrequency safety limits. The study appears to focus on how exposure guidelines evolved during the early 1980s, a critical period when microwave technology was expanding rapidly in both civilian and military applications.
John R. Lester, Dennis F. Moore · 1982
Researchers studied cancer patterns in Wichita, Kansas and found higher cancer rates on elevated terrain facing radar installations, with lower rates in valleys. The study suggests a connection between microwave radar emissions and geographic cancer distribution patterns.
John R. Lester, Ph.D. and Dennis F. Moore, M.D. · 1982
This 1982 study analyzed cancer mortality rates across U.S. counties from 1950-1969, comparing areas with Air Force bases to those without. Counties containing Air Force bases showed significantly higher cancer death rates during this 20-year period. The findings suggest potential health impacts from radar and other electromagnetic radiation sources concentrated around military installations.
Unknown authors · 1982
This 1982 government report documented radiation incidents involving visual display terminals (VDTs), the early computer monitors used in offices. The registry tracked health complaints including cataracts, eye strain, and headaches reported by workers using these devices. This represents one of the earliest systematic efforts to monitor occupational health effects from electronic display technology.
Om P. Gandhi · 1982
In 1982, the IEEE examined radiation emissions from video display terminals (VDTs) and concluded that all radiation levels fell well below safety standards. The organization attributed user health concerns to workplace stress rather than EMF exposure, dismissing radiation risks as misconceptions based on erroneous beliefs.
Brian Alley, Charles Wallach · 1982
This 1982 research examined health risks from prolonged use of cathode ray tube (CRT) video display terminals, focusing on ion depletion and electrostatic charge effects. The study explored whether CRT screens create unhealthy air conditions through negative ion reduction and static electricity buildup. This early computer health research helped establish workplace safety guidelines for office workers spending hours at computer screens.
Charles Wallach · 1982
This 1982 study examined health complaints from computer and TV screen operators, finding DC voltage gradients up to 50,000 volts per meter between users' faces and screens. Researchers linked common symptoms like headaches, eye irritation, and pregnancy complications to the screens' positive electrical charge disrupting natural air ions.
H. P. Schwan · 1982
This 1982 study by Dr. Herman Schwan examined the scientific basis for setting safe exposure limits to microwave and radio frequency radiation. The research analyzed different frequency ranges and their effects on human tissue, supporting the 10 mW/cm² safety standard that became foundational for modern EMF regulations.
Chang-Zern Hong et al. · 1982
Researchers tested magnetic necklaces on 101 people with and without neck and shoulder pain for 3 weeks using a double-blind study design. Both magnetic and non-magnetic necklaces reduced pain equally, revealing a strong placebo effect. However, magnetic necklaces did improve nerve conduction in healthy subjects, suggesting some physiological effects beyond pain relief.
