Biological Hazards of Microwave Radiation.

Journal of food protection · 1980 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 6037

This review describes biological effects of microwave radiation, dividing them into thermal and nonthermal effects. It notes that most research discussed focuses on thermal effects on biological organs under various controlled power densities.

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of food protection · 1980

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Microwave radiation is becoming more prevalent in the environment due to the increased use of radar units, guidance systems, power transmission lines, certain ovens and various appliances that use or produce radiation with frequencies between 300 and 300,000 MHz. As a result of the increased use of microwave radiation, the public is becoming more aware of microwaves and, therefore, more concerned about the risks involved in the use of microwave generators. The effects of microwave radiation on a biological system can be divided into two major groups, thermal and nonthermal. Thermal effects have received more attention and the bulk of the research to date. Most of the work discussed in this review reports on the thermal effects on biological organs exposed to various, but controlled, power densities of microwave radiation.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

thermal effects on biological organs
nonthermal effects (mentioned)

Limitations

No specific study designs, populations, exposure levels, or quantitative results are provided in the abstract.
Nonthermal effects are mentioned but not described in detail in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "radar units, guidance systems, power transmission lines, ovens and appliances",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "thermal effects on biological organs",
    "nonthermal effects (mentioned)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review describes biological effects of microwave radiation, dividing them into thermal and nonthermal effects. It notes that most research discussed focuses on thermal effects on biological organs under various controlled power densities.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No specific study designs, populations, exposure levels, or quantitative results are provided in the abstract.",
    "Nonthermal effects are mentioned but not described in detail in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "radar",
    "guidance systems",
    "power transmission lines",
    "ovens",
    "appliances",
    "thermal effects",
    "nonthermal effects",
    "power density"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-43.8.625
PubMed: 30822988

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