Behavioral effects of chronic exposure to 0.5 mW/cm2 of 2,450-MHz microwaves.

Abstract

Adult male, Long-Evans rats were exposed 7 h a day for 90 days to continuous wave (CW) 2,450-MHz microwaves at an average power density of 0.5 mW/cm2. Exposures were in a monopole-above-ground radiation chamber with rats in Plexiglas cages. The resulting specific absorption rate (SAR) was 0.14 W/kg (+/- 0.01 SEM). Additional rats served as sham-exposed and home-caged controls. All were evaluated daily for body mass and food and water intakes. Once each 30 days, throughout baseline and exposure phases of the experiment, rats in the sham- and microwave-exposed groups were tested for their sensitivity to footshock. After 90-days of exposure, the rats were evaluated an open field, an active avoidance task and an operant task for food reinforcement. Performance of sham- and microwave-irradiated rats was reliably different on only one measure, the lever-pressing task. The general conclusion reached was that exposure to CW 2,450-MHz microwave radiation at 0.5 mW/cm2 was below the threshold for behavioral effects over a wide range of variables, but did have an effect on a time-related operant task, although the direction of the effect was unpredictable.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Rats chronically exposed to continuous-wave 2,450-MHz microwaves (0.5 mW/cm2; SAR 0.14 W/kg) differed reliably from sham-exposed rats on only one behavioral measure (a lever-pressing operant task). The authors conclude exposure was below the threshold for behavioral effects across many variables, but did affect a time-related operant task with an unpredictable direction.

Outcomes measured

• Body mass
• Food intake
• Water intake
• Footshock sensitivity
• Open field behavior
• Active avoidance performance
• Operant lever-pressing for food reinforcement

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Direction of the operant-task effect described as unpredictable
• Only abstract-level details available on methods/statistics

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.14000000000000001332267629550187848508358001708984375,
        "duration": "7 h/day for 90 days (continuous wave)"
    },
    "population": "Adult male Long-Evans rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Body mass",
        "Food intake",
        "Water intake",
        "Footshock sensitivity",
        "Open field behavior",
        "Active avoidance performance",
        "Operant lever-pressing for food reinforcement"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Rats chronically exposed to continuous-wave 2,450-MHz microwaves (0.5 mW/cm2; SAR 0.14 W/kg) differed reliably from sham-exposed rats on only one behavioral measure (a lever-pressing operant task). The authors conclude exposure was below the threshold for behavioral effects across many variables, but did affect a time-related operant task with an unpredictable direction.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Direction of the operant-task effect described as unpredictable",
        "Only abstract-level details available on methods/statistics"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave",
        "2450 MHz",
        "continuous wave",
        "power density",
        "SAR",
        "chronic exposure",
        "rat",
        "behavior",
        "operant task",
        "active avoidance",
        "open field",
        "footshock sensitivity"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.