Microwave radiation: an epidemiologic assessment.

Abstract

Microwave radiation is coming into increasing use in many countries; it is in use in communications, in industry, for ovens in the home and in commercial establishments and for diathermy. The power output is increasing steadily and community exposure is already a fact. East European countries claim that adverse effects can result from exposure substantially lower than levels permitted in Western countries. Also some of the effects claimed are frequent and disabling. Prolonged and cumulative exposure is especially suspect. While studies in animals are necessary, studies in man cannot be dispensed with. Extrapolation from on species of animal to another, and even more, to man, is hazardous. Moreover, epidemiologic studies are needed to uncover the potentially wide variety of subtle effects, especially mental. Fortunately, there are indices of exposure which can be used in field studies and dosimetry is reaching the point where it can be applied to field studies.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The article discusses increasing community exposure to microwave radiation and notes that East European countries report adverse effects at exposure levels lower than those permitted in Western countries. It emphasizes the need for epidemiologic studies in humans to detect potentially subtle effects and notes that exposure indices and dosimetry are becoming applicable to field studies.

Outcomes measured

• adverse health effects (general)
• subtle effects (especially mental)

Limitations

• Narrative review/assessment; no specific study results, effect sizes, or quantitative exposure levels reported in the abstract
• No specific population, design details, or outcomes measured are described

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "communications, industry, microwave ovens, diathermy",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "prolonged and cumulative exposure (discussed)"
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "adverse health effects (general)",
        "subtle effects (especially mental)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The article discusses increasing community exposure to microwave radiation and notes that East European countries report adverse effects at exposure levels lower than those permitted in Western countries. It emphasizes the need for epidemiologic studies in humans to detect potentially subtle effects and notes that exposure indices and dosimetry are becoming applicable to field studies.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "Narrative review/assessment; no specific study results, effect sizes, or quantitative exposure levels reported in the abstract",
        "No specific population, design details, or outcomes measured are described"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "epidemiology",
        "community exposure",
        "communications",
        "industrial exposure",
        "microwave ovens",
        "diathermy",
        "dosimetry",
        "mental effects"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.