Overview
Comprehensive surveys of workers occupationally exposed to microwaves continue to be conducted in the Soviet Union and East European countries. These surveys are of a broad-spectrum nature taking into consideration virtually all human vital functions.
In contrast, few studies of this nature have been conducted in the West, and those that were usually concerned the effects of microwaves on particular organs, such as the eye.
Eastern Clinical Findings: Persistent Evidence of Harm
Survey Characteristics
The results of the most recent Soviet and East European surveys are generally analogous to findings from earlier surveys, with the notable exception that they include more statistical data than in the past, which tends to enhance their credibility. Soviet studies of occupational workers exposed to microwave power densities generally well below 10 mW/cm² continue to report various reversible functional changes in the nervous, cardiovascular, and blood systems which lead to a characteristic complex of symptoms.Microwave Sickness as Distinct Clinical Entity
"Microwave or radiowave sickness" has been isolated as a distinct clinical entity in the Soviet Union. Clinical responses usually are reported after chronic (approx. 3 to 6 years) exposure to microwave power densities ranging from several hundredths of a mW/cm² to "a few" mW/cm².Symptomatology and Recovery
As a rule, it has been observed that cessation of work involving exposure to microwave/RF radiation results in symptomatic stabilization, or recovery if such cessation takes place in the initial stages of symptoms. It is implied, however, in some studies that symptoms may stabilize or grow worse if exposure continues.Neurological Findings
Neurological findings of personnel exposed to microwaves continue to receive considerable attention in the Soviet and East European countries. EEC changes have been consistently noted in Polish workers who have been exposed to microwaves. These changes, which include a towering of the EEC alpha rhythm, are accompanied by decreased tolerance of neurotropic drugs.Other studies have distinguished distinct "stages" of nervous system disturbance such as:
1) The neurasthenic syndrome with autonomic disorders
2) Pseudoneurasthenia with subjective complaints accompanied by symptoms of an organic nature
3) Rare cases of encephalopathy
These changes are attributed to direct penetration of radiation into midline brain structures, as well as to selective thermal effects.
Gonadic Function Changes
Changes in gonadic function have recently been reported in a Rumanian survey of workers exposed to centimeter waves at power densities ranging from tens to hundreds of mW/cm². A general decrease in sex function and spermatogenesis was noted in about 70 percent of the 31 workers surveyed. The findings are reported to be similar to earlier Soviet surveys.Blood Chemistry Changes
Changes in the blood protein chemistry and the hematopoietic system of occupational workers are frequently reported in Soviet and East European clinical studies. The changes are most often of a non-pathological nature, and seem to suggest a general reaction to stress, although one East European study has reported that human lymphocyte cultures exposed to low and moderately high microwave power densities show chromosomal changes suggestive of a mutagenic effect.Western Clinical Findings: Mixed Results
Eye Studies
While some Western and Eastern clinical specialists are convinced of damaging effects at chronically low levels of exposure, other experimental and clinical workers are as equally convinced that there is no proven case of microwave-caused cataractogenesis or other eye lesions. Dosimetric surveys of potentially hazardous microwave environments continue to be conducted both in the East and in the West.Microwave Interference with Medical Equipment
In the United States there has been recent emphasis on the microwave interference of electromedical equipment driving such vital human functions as the heart. One survey of a hospital near a new microwave transmitting tower concluded that the field strength seldom exceeded 1 V/in, which is well below the Soviet exposure standard (0.01 mW/cm², or 5 to 6 V/m), and the U.S. exposure standard (10 mW/cm²).Another study concluded that electromagnetic interference of implanted demand pacemakers does not presently constitute an important clinical problem. Of more than 2000 pacemaker patients surveyed, only 10 were mildly affected.
Key Disparity: Exposure Standards and Interpretation
The disparity between Eastern and Western findings is stark:
- Soviet exposure standard: 0.01 mW/cm² (5 to 6 V/m)
- U.S. exposure standard: 10 mW/cm²
Despite the persistent findings that microwave workers exposed to relatively low power densities do seem to exhibit a variety of reversible neurological, cardiovascular, and regulative changes, occasionally of a disabling nature, warrants further epidemiological study, particularly in the West.
Status
The pressure of public opinion, coupled with recent experimental findings, may have a significant effect on their unique positions with regard to the occupational exposure levels. The persistent findings that microwave workers exposed to relatively low power densities do seem to exhibit a variety of reversible neurological, cardiovascular, and regulative changes, occasionally of a disabling nature, warrants further epidemiological study, particularly in the West.
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