Biological effects of chronic exposure to high power microwaves in rats
Abstract
This work evaluated health hazards from high power microwaves (HPM). Rats were exposed under single and repetitive conditions for 8 weeks. Electric field impulses (1MV/m) of nanosecond duration were applied at 3.8 GHz, with some residual X-rays. Survival time was measured after repeated exposure. Earlier effects were studied by performing behavioral tests: rotarod, T-maze, and beam-walking. Acute effects have also been studied on the Glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) expression, on avoidance and open-field tests. A 4-month life decrease happened in exposed animals, with some exhibiting a large superficial tumor. The SAR (0.8 W/kg) was not thermal, and the mechanisms need to be explored.