Evaluation of possible microwave-induced lens changes in the United States Air Force.

Abstract

An Air Force examination team performed ophthalmologic examinations on 817 subjects in a double blind fashion. The subjects included 477 workers in the microwave radiation field and 340 control subjects with no known history of occupational exposure to microwave radiation. The intent of the study was to determine if a significant difference existed between the two groups for the presence of three lenticular findings equated with early cataract formation. No significant difference was found. Thus, this study does not support the contention that microwave exposure in the military environment is causing human cataracts at levels permitted by U.S. Safety Standards.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In double-blind ophthalmologic exams of 477 microwave-exposed workers versus 340 unexposed controls, no significant difference was found in three lenticular findings equated with early cataract formation. The authors conclude the results do not support that microwave exposure in the military environment is causing human cataracts at levels permitted by U.S. safety standards.

Outcomes measured

• lenticular findings equated with early cataract formation
• human cataracts

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.9)
  Compares microwave-exposed military workers with unexposed controls.

{
    "study_type": "cohort",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "United States Air Force workers and controls",
    "sample_size": 817,
    "outcomes": [
        "lenticular findings equated with early cataract formation",
        "human cataracts"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In double-blind ophthalmologic exams of 477 microwave-exposed workers versus 340 unexposed controls, no significant difference was found in three lenticular findings equated with early cataract formation. The authors conclude the results do not support that microwave exposure in the military environment is causing human cataracts at levels permitted by U.S. safety standards.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "occupational exposure",
        "Air Force",
        "ophthalmologic examination",
        "lens changes",
        "cataract"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Compares microwave-exposed military workers with unexposed controls."
        }
    ]
}

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