EMF Research Studies

Recommended Consultants for External Review of the Radiofrequency (RF)/Microwave Radiation Criteria Document

Criteria Manager, RF/Microwave Radiation Criteria Document · 1979

EPA Research Needs in Radiofrequency and Microwave Radiation

Unknown authors · 1979

NOTICE OF INQUIRY - Responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission to consider biological effects of radio frequency radiation when authorizing the use of radio frequency devices

Unknown authors · 1979

A Review of Selected Biological Effects and Dosimetric Data Useful for Development of Radiofrequency Safety Standards for Human Exposure

R.A. Tell, F. Harlen · 1979

The authors reviewed selected biological effects and dosimetric data to develop radiofrequency safety standards based on thermogenic properties of electromagnetic fields. The 10 mW/cm² limit appears adequate for frequencies above 1 GHz but may be too high for lower frequencies due to body resonances causing increased energy deposition and local temperature rises. They noted that energy absorption in small laboratory animals can be up to 30 times greater than in humans at the same field strength. The current averaging period of 0.1 hours is considered unjustifiably short.

DOSE ASSESSMENT TO OPERATORS OF INDUSTRIAL RADIOFREQUENCY SEALERS

Stan Neuder · 1979

Relationship of Exposure to Radiofrequency Energy and Selected Reproductive and Health Factors

Helen C. Chase · 1979

Radiofrequency Radiation Alters the Immune System: Modulation of T- and B-lymphocyte Levels and Cell-Mediated Immunocompetence by Hyperthermic Radiation

Robert P. Liburdy · 1979

Researchers exposed mice to whole-body radiofrequency radiation at 26 MHz that raised core temperature by 2°C over 15 minutes, inducing transient lymphopenia and increasing splenic T- and B-lymphocytes. Repeated RFR exposures sustained lymphopenia and further elevated splenic T- and B-lymphocyte levels. Chronic RFR exposure decreased thymic weight, thymic and splenic cell density, and suppressed delayed-type hypersensitivity. Warm air exposure increased only splenic B-lymphocytes and did not change delayed hypersensitivity, while RFR exposure raised plasma corticoid levels severalfold. A synthetic glucocorticoid reproduced the lymphopenia, splenic T- and B-lymphocyte increases, and thymic involution observed with RFR.

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE WALK-THROUGH SURVEY REPORT ON RF RADIATION EXPOSURES FROM HEAT SEALERS

Clinton Cox, Betsy Egan, Bill Murray, Bob Herrick · 1979

On November 29, 1978, NIOSH conducted a walk-through survey of the RF sealing area at Standard Plastic Products in South Plainfield, New Jersey. The purpose was to identify workers for a study on health effects from occupational radio frequency radiation exposure. Electric and magnetic fields from the heat sealers were measured and corrected for duty cycle. All three sealers produced electric fields greater than 1000 V/M, exceeding the ANSI guideline of 200 V/M by at least five times. A cohort of 15 workers, mostly elderly women, was identified and could be used in a study if combined with similar cohorts from other plants.

PROPOSED TLV FOR RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION

Unknown authors · 1979

Health Aspects of Radio Frequency and Microwave Radiation Exposure Part 2

Unknown authors · 1978

MEASUREMENT OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS--RF AND MICROWAVE

Unknown authors · 1978

Instruments should read average power density, mean squared electric field strength, mean squared magnetic field strength, or energy density. Calibration methods include free-space standard field, guided wave methods, and standard probe method.

Proposed Exposure Limits for Microwave and Radiofrequency Radiations in Canada

M. H. Repacholi · 1978

Health Aspects of Exposure to Microwave and Radio Frequency Radiation

M. Repacholi · 1978

Descriptions are given on the physical characteristics, biophysical principles, and biological effects of exposure to these radiations. Public and occupational health implications and protective measures against the hazards of exposure are also described. Existing standards for general public and occupational exposure have been tabulated and described to inform the reader about presently accepted maximum permitted exposure levels.

INFORMATION PROFILE - RADIOFREQUENCY AND MICROWAVE RADIATION

Science Information Services Department · 1978

Rats exposed to pulsed radiofrequency or microwave frequencies for up to three hours a day over 0.5 to 6.0 months showed chemical and cellular blood changes, reduced cardiac, hepatic, and neural metabolism, hepatic histologic changes, and severe testicular damage. Mice exposed to 9 GHz for a few minutes a day for 59 weeks developed monocytic leukosis and myeloid leukemia three times as often as controls. Human studies included a Russian report that cardiovascular patients chronically exposed to microwave radiation did not improve after changing jobs, a Finnish study correlating a radar site with increased fatal heart attacks, and a study of 140 radio and television operators with at least 10 years exposure showing elevated alpha-globulin and total serum protein.

An EM Radiation Safety Controller

H. Bassen, J. Sing · 1978

When a hazard is detected, the controller activates alarms and shuts off the high-power source through redundant relays. The system has been tested with multiple high-power generators and a commercial version is in use.

RF-energy absorption by biological models: calculations based on geometrical optics

G. I. Rowlandson, P. W. Barber · 1978

Development of A Recommended U.S. Occupational Exposure Standard for Radiofrequency and Microwave Radiation

Richard F. Boggs, Zorach R. Glaser · 1978

PERFORMANCE OF X-RAY MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS WHEN SUBJECTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL LEVEL RF FIELDS

John R. Frazier, Thomas R. Ohlhaber, Paul S. Ruggera · 1978

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD MEASUREMENT OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS--RF AND MICROWAVE

Unknown authors · 1978

AFOSH STANDARD 161-9 - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION

Unknown authors · 1978

It applies to military and civilian personnel at Air Force facilities worldwide and addresses protection of nonoccupationally exposed personnel from Air Force-owned sources. Warning signs are required where access to power density levels exceeding the PEL is probable.

Health Aspects of Radio Frequency and Microwave Exposure Part 2

Unknown authors · 1978

An Analysis Of Radiofrequency And Microwave Absorption Data With Consideration Of Thermal Safety Standards

Richard A. Tell · 1978

The report analyzes existing radiofrequency and microwave absorption data to examine frequency-dependent tissue heating and determine exposure field intensities linked to thermal loading on the whole body and specific tissues in adults and infants. A baseline absorption factor of 1 W/kg, equivalent to the adult basal metabolic rate averaged over total body mass, is used for comparison. In the 10 MHz to 1000 MHz range, absorption can produce whole-body thermal loads several times the basal metabolic rate at the present U.S. safety standard.

Heating of Biological Tissue in the Induction Field of VHF Portable Radio Transmitters

Quirino Balzano, Oscar Garay, Frances R. Steel · 1978

Researchers built two phantom models to study heating of simulated human tissue from VHF portable radio antennas. Temperature measurements showed penetrating power densities in the tissue were substantially lower than expected from an incident plane wave with the same electric field intensity. In the head phantom, a 6-W radio held 0.2 inches from the mouth caused less than 0.1°C temperature rise in one minute. The maximum power density penetrating the dummy was less than 1 mW/cm² at the middle forehead, and no detectable temperature increase occurred near the eyes.

CONSIDERATIONS AND CRITERIA FOR A RECOMMENDED STANDARD FOR OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY AND MICROWAVE FIELDS

Unknown authors · 1978

The criteria document was scheduled for completion by August 1979. Preparation involved NIOSH research, literature review, stakeholder communication, plant visits, and expert review. Recommendations were based on critical evaluation of biological effects and epidemiological data, plus instrumentation, engineering controls, work practices, and medical monitoring. Over 300 letters were sent to manufacturers, users, trade associations, and organized labor, yielding approximately 70 responses.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF THERMALLY RELATED RADIOFREQUENCY EXPOSURE SAFETY STANDARDS

R. A. Tell, F. Harlan · 1978