Chronic exposure of rabbits to 0.5 and 5 mW/cm2 2450-MHz CW microwave radiation.

Abstract

Two groups of 16 male New Zealand rabbits were exposed to 2450-MHz continuous wave microwave fields in two experiments of 90 days each. The incident power densities of the first and second experiment were 0.5 and 5 mW/cm2, respectively. During each study, 16 animals were adapted to a miniature anechoic chamber exposure system for at least 2 weeks, then 8 of them were exposed for 7 h daily, 5 days a week for 13 weeks, and the other 8 animals were sham exposed. The rabbits were placed in acrylic cages, and each was exposed from the top in an individual miniature anechoic chamber. Thermography showed a maximum specific absorption rate of 5.5 W/kg in the head and 7 W/kg in the back at 5-mW/cm2 incident power density. After each 7-h exposure session, the animals were returned to their home cages. Food consumption in the exposure chamber and body mass were measured daily. Blood samples were taken before exposure and monthly thereafter for hematological, morphological, chemical, protein electrophoresis, and lymphocyte blast transformation studies. Eyes were examined for cataract formation. Finally, pathological examinations of 28 specimens of organs and tissues of each rabbit were performed. Statistically, there was a significant (P less than .01) decrease only of food consumption during the 5-mW/cm2 exposure; other variables were not significantly different between exposed and control groups.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In two 90-day experiments (0.5 and 5 mW/cm2), a statistically significant decrease in food consumption was observed only during the 5 mW/cm2 exposure (P<.01). Other measured variables, including body mass, blood-related measures, eye exams for cataracts, and pathological examinations, were not significantly different between exposed and sham-exposed rabbits.

Outcomes measured

• food consumption
• body mass
• hematological measures
• morphological measures
• blood chemistry
• protein electrophoresis
• lymphocyte blast transformation
• cataract formation
• pathology of organs and tissues

Limitations

• Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain
• Only male rabbits were studied
• Sample size per condition was small (8 exposed and 8 sham per experiment)
• Maximum SAR values reported for the higher power density; SAR for the lower power density not stated

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 7,
        "duration": "7 h/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks (after ≥2-week adaptation); two 90-day experiments"
    },
    "population": "Male New Zealand rabbits",
    "sample_size": 32,
    "outcomes": [
        "food consumption",
        "body mass",
        "hematological measures",
        "morphological measures",
        "blood chemistry",
        "protein electrophoresis",
        "lymphocyte blast transformation",
        "cataract formation",
        "pathology of organs and tissues"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In two 90-day experiments (0.5 and 5 mW/cm2), a statistically significant decrease in food consumption was observed only during the 5 mW/cm2 exposure (P<.01). Other measured variables, including body mass, blood-related measures, eye exams for cataracts, and pathological examinations, were not significantly different between exposed and sham-exposed rabbits.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study; generalizability to humans is uncertain",
        "Only male rabbits were studied",
        "Sample size per condition was small (8 exposed and 8 sham per experiment)",
        "Maximum SAR values reported for the higher power density; SAR for the lower power density not stated"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "rabbit",
        "2450 MHz",
        "microwave",
        "continuous wave",
        "chronic exposure",
        "power density",
        "specific absorption rate",
        "food consumption",
        "cataract",
        "pathology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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