Radio Frequency Exposure in Military Contexts: A Narrative Review of Thermal Effects and Safety Considerations

Abstract

Category: Occupational Health, Electromagnetic Fields Safety Tags: radiofrequency, RF exposure, thermal effects, military safety, SAR, CEM43, electromagnetic fields DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaf613 URL: doi.org Overview Radiofrequency (RF) exposure has been extensively studied for its potential health risks. Unlike ionizing radiation, RF fields primarily cause thermal health effects, which are currently recognized as the only established mechanism of biological harm. Regulatory bodies—including the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)—set exposure limits intended to prevent excessive heating. Review Approach - A narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature, regulatory reports, and experimental studies from PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, and Scopus. - Emphasis was placed on metrics such as Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and Cumulative Equivalent Minutes at 43°C (CEM43). - Studies on thermal effects and relevant exposure scenarios were prioritized, while speculative non-thermal mechanisms were excluded. Findings - Thermal Effects: RF-induced thermal effects depend on frequency, tissue composition, and environmental conditions. - Exposure Scenarios: Whole-body SAR limits (≤4 W/kg) generally prevent dangerous core temperature rises, but localized heating remains a concern, particularly for skin, eyes, and superficial nerves—even if overall exposure remains within regulatory limits. - CEM43 Metric: CEM43 offers a temperature-based risk metric yet is complex in transient exposure scenarios. - Penetration Depth: Measurement variability across NATO frequency bands highlights the need for improved tissue models and methods, as this directly impacts localized clinical risk. Conclusion Current RF safety guidelines, mainly based on SAR, effectively prevent systemic overheating, but localized risks persist, especially in military conditions where thermoregulation may be impaired. The body's heat dissipation mechanisms (like perfusion and sweating) help, but tissue-specific thresholds differ and intense or prolonged exposure can create dangerous "hotspots." Metrics like CEM43 are valuable but need refinement for operational use. Future work should focus on integrating SAR and thermal dose models to better predict and mitigate heat-related risks, especially in high-stress military environments.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This narrative review states that RF exposure is primarily associated with thermal effects and that whole-body SAR limits (≤4 W/kg) generally prevent dangerous core temperature rises. It notes that localized heating can remain a concern (e.g., skin, eyes, superficial nerves) even when overall exposure is within regulatory limits, and that CEM43 may be useful but complex for transient exposures; measurement variability across NATO frequency bands suggests a need for improved tissue models and methods.

Outcomes measured

• Thermal effects (tissue heating, core temperature rise)
• Localized heating risk (skin, eyes, superficial nerves)
• Safety guideline adequacy (SAR-based limits)
• Thermal dose metric applicability (CEM43)
• Penetration depth / measurement variability across NATO frequency bands

Limitations

• Narrative review design (not described as systematic)
• Search strategy details and inclusion/exclusion criteria not fully specified in the abstract
• Speculative non-thermal mechanisms were excluded by design

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.9)
  Focuses on RF exposure scenarios in military/occupational contexts and safety considerations.
• who-icnirp (0.55)
  Discusses exposure limits set by ICNIRP (and IEEE) as key regulatory bodies.

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    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": 4,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Military contexts (occupational RF exposure scenarios)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Thermal effects (tissue heating, core temperature rise)",
        "Localized heating risk (skin, eyes, superficial nerves)",
        "Safety guideline adequacy (SAR-based limits)",
        "Thermal dose metric applicability (CEM43)",
        "Penetration depth / measurement variability across NATO frequency bands"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This narrative review states that RF exposure is primarily associated with thermal effects and that whole-body SAR limits (≤4 W/kg) generally prevent dangerous core temperature rises. It notes that localized heating can remain a concern (e.g., skin, eyes, superficial nerves) even when overall exposure is within regulatory limits, and that CEM43 may be useful but complex for transient exposures; measurement variability across NATO frequency bands suggests a need for improved tissue models and methods.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Narrative review design (not described as systematic)",
        "Search strategy details and inclusion/exclusion criteria not fully specified in the abstract",
        "Speculative non-thermal mechanisms were excluded by design"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency",
        "RF exposure",
        "thermal effects",
        "military safety",
        "SAR",
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        "ICNIRP",
        "IEEE",
        "NATO frequency bands",
        "localized heating",
        "occupational exposure"
    ],
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}

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