Biological
Effects of Electromagnetic
Radiation
(Radiowaves and Microwaves)
Eurasian Communist Countries
Privately reported in 1976 by the
Defense Intelligence Agency
Later Unclassified
INTRODUCTION
This document is a partial
transcript of the document DST-1810S-04-76
privately reported in 1976 by the Defense Intelligence Agency. Two
complementary copies of the document in PDF format (with different
parts covered/uncovered) has been used as
the source for the transcription (see section "Sources" below).
ABSTRACT
(Taken from the page 31)
This study was undertaken to provide
a review and evaluation of the
current Eurasian Communist country state-of-the-art [1975] in the area
of the
effects of radiowaves and microwaves. It generally covers the 1968-1975
period. The major topics include discussions of the effects on humans
and animals. The study provides information on the general trends of
research with special attention to possible military applications.
where
appropriate, information on safety standards and research personalities
and facilities is provided.
SOURCES
Both of the followings sources correspond to the same document
DST-1810S-04-76 from the Defense Intelligence Agency. The difference is
that distinct parts are covered or uncovered in each PDF file (for
example, Source 1 lacks important content in Page 26 and Source 2
lacks the pages 21-22 and 29-34).
NOTES on
the Transcription
* The page
numbers (for example,
[---PAGE
2---]) refer to the written number at the foot of each
page in
the source PDF files.
* The letters (U) and (C) at the beginning of most
of the paragraphs are from the original and they appear to be
abbreviations for "Unclassified" and "Classified" (later on, the entire
document was unclassified).
* The strikethrough on the (C) letters
comes from the Source 2 (in the Source 1, the
corresponding (C) are covered with blank).
* The
highlighting in bold is
from
The M+G+R
Foundation.
Jump to
Table of Contents
Below this line, all the text is a partial
transcript of the original
document.
DEFENSE
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
(RADIOWAVES AND MICROWAVES)
EURASIAN COMMUNIST COUNTRIES (U)
[UNCLASSIFIED]
PREPARED BY U.S. ARMY
MEDICAL INTELLIGENCE AND
INFORMATION AGENCY
OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL
[---PAGE ii---]
AUTHORS
Mr. Ronald L. Adams
Dr. R. A. Williams
DST-1810S-04-76
DIA TASK PT-1810-02-75
DATE OF PUBLICATION
March 1976
Information Cut-off Data
10 October 1975
Supersession Notice
This document supersedes ST-CS-01-74-74, dated March 1974
This is a Department of Defense Intelligence Document prepared by the
US Army medical Intelligence and Information Agency and approved by the
Directorate for Scientific ant Technical Intelligence of the Defense
Agency.
[---PAGE iii---]
PREFACE
(C) The purpose of
this review is to provide information necessary to assess human
vulnerability, protection materials, and methods applicable to military
operations. The study provides an insight on the current research
capabilities of these countries. Information on trends is presented
when feasible and supportable.
(C) The study
discusses the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation in the
radio- and microwave ranges (up through 300,000 megahertz). It is not
within the realm of this study to provide detailed descriptions of
every
laboratory experiment. Such data have been purposely omitted in favor
of an analytical approach. An attempt has been made to identify the
principal areas of research and to discuss the significance of
experimental results.
(C) The information
reported in this study has been drawn from scientific, medical, and
military journals, intelligence reports, magazines, news items, books,
and other publications. The information cut-off date for this study was
1 October 1975.
(U) Constructive criticism, comments or suggested changes are
encouraged, and should be forwarded to the Defense Intelligence Agency
(ATTN: DT-1A), Washington, DC 20301
[---PAGE iv is Blank---]
[---PAGE v---]
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
[Top of the Document]
Preface
Summary
SECTION I - INTRODUCTION
SECTION II - BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RADIOWAVES AND
MICROWAVES
SECTION III - MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS
SECTION IV - DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
SECTION V - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND STANDARDS
SECTION VI - TRENDS, CONCLUSIONS, AND FORECAST
SECTION VII - INFORMATION GAPS
Data Handling
Distribution List
[---PAGE vi is Blank---]
[---PAGE vii---]
SUMMARY
(U) The thermal effects of electromagnetic radiation have been
reasonably well established through experimental investigation. The
nonthermal effects, however, remain a controversial issue between
scientist in the West and in the Eurasian Communist countries. The
difficulties encountered in conclusively demonstrating the nonthermal
effects of electromagnetic exposure are likely responsible for
differences in exposure standards; some standards are based largely on
the demonstrable thermal effects, while others allow for possible
nonthermal effects at subthermal intensities.
(U) The Eurasian Communist countries are actively involved in
evaluation of the biological significance of radiowaves and microwaves.
Most of the research being conducted involves animals or in vitro
evaluations, but active programs of a retrospective nature designed to
elucidate the effects on humans are also being conducted. The major
systems, systems components, or processes currently under study
include the blood the cardiovascular system, cells, the central nervous
system, the digestive system, the glandular system, metabolic effects,
and the reproductive and the visual systems. Other aspects of exposure
are also being studied, but the limited number of reports uncovered
makes assessment of the importance placed upon this research
impossible.
These lesser reported research areas include nonthermal effects,
immunological studies, and use of radiowaves for functional control of
organ systems.
(C) No unusual
devices or measures for protection from radiowave exposure were noted,
but a continued stress upon personnel protection in occupational
situations was apparent. Here, protective goggles and clothing are
recommended when working in regions of microwave radiation. Although
some differences in standards remain between the various Communist
countries and between military and civilian standards, the Communist
standards remain much more stringent than those of the West. An
exception to this may be Poland where a recent relaxation of their
standards has occurred. This is the first significant shift of an East
European country away from the standard first set by the USSR in 1958.
(C) If the more advanced nations of the West
are strict in the enforcement of stringent exposure standards, there
could be unfavorable effects on industrial output and military
functions. The Eurasian Communist countries could, on the other
hand, give lip service to strict standards, but allow their military
to operate without restriction and thereby gain the advantage in
electronic warfare techniques and the development of antipersonnel
applications.
[---PAGE viii---]
The potential for the development of a member of antipersonnel
applications is suggested by the research published in the USSR, East
Europe, and the West. Sounds and
possibly even words which appear to be originating intracranially can
be induced by signal modulation at very low average-power densities.
Combinations of frequencies and other signal characteristics to produce
other neurological effects may be feasible in several years. The
possibility of inducing metabolic diseases is also suggested. Animal experiments reported in the open
literature have demonstrated the use of low-level microwave signals to
produce death by heart seizure or by neurological pathologies resulting
from breaching of the blood-brain barrier.
(U) As may be expected, the bulk of the research being done in this
area is in the USSR. However, a notable volume is also being produced
by Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Rumania, and Hungary.
(C) Western
scientists who have followed the Soviet research efforts on the
biological effects of microwaves have expressed a variety of reactions
ranging from disbelief to passive acceptance. The overall impact of
current Soviet work is not overly significant, at least on their
civilian sector. One possible exception may be their studies of the
central nervous system where some interesting work is being done.
Elsewhere, most of their work tends to be outdated, some of their
experiments cannot be duplicated, and others are of doubtful
credibility. No real new developments or fresh approaches have been
identified. Nevertheless, a large volume of material continues to be
published on the effects of radiowaves and microwaves on biological
systems, indicating a fairly high degree of interest and a genuine
desire to pursue these investigations. No significant research and
development has been identified that could be related to work in this
field in the People's Republic of China, North Korea, and North Vietnam.
SECTION
I
INTRODUCTION
(U) The effects of radiowaves and microwaves on biological systems have
traditionally been separated into two basic classifications, (1)
thermal effects, and (2) nonthermal effects. The thermal effects are
widely recognized and the mechanism of action reasonably well
understood. Nonthermal effects, however, are controversial since the
mechanisms involved are not clearly understood. Soviet and East European scientist believe
that biological side-effects occur at power densities that are too low
to produce obvious thermal effects. Such effects have been
questioned in the West because experimental evidence, obtained largely
in US laboratories, does not corroborate occurrence of nonthermal
side-effects.
(U) Divergences in opinion between Bloc and Western researchers
concerning the effects of microwave radiation are the result of
nonstandarized research protocols and materials. [...]
(U) It is now generally agreed that biological systems irradiated with
electromagnetic waves in the radiowave and microwave frequency ranges
(one kilohertz to more than 105 megahertz) absorb varying
amounts of energy depending on the irradiation frequencies and the
physical properties of the system. Typically, however, 40-50 percent of
the incident energy is absorbed by the biological system and the
remainder reflected. In reality, only the shorter wavelengths represent
any appreciable hazard as a result of thermal heating. Radiation fields
in the microwave range vary in wavelength from about one meter to very
short wavelengths on the order of a millimeter. The depth of penetration of the waves is
also variable and again depends on the frequency, wave polarization,
and the physical properties of the system (i.e., dielectric and
geometric), but typical penetrations are on the order of 1/10 of the
wavelength. Therefore, very short waves are absorbed primarily by the
skin, while long wavelengths penetrate to much greater depths.
(U) The degree of heating appears to be a function of the water content
of the tissue and probably results from oscillations of water molecules
or dipoles. [...]
[---PAGE 2---]
(U) Many techniques and indices have been employed to study the effects
of irradiation on biological systems. These include:
Body weight.
Biochemical studies.
Cardiovascular studies.
CNS effects (including conditioned and unconditioned reflexes).
Electrophysiological measurements.
Fertility and mutation studies.
Histology and pathology studies.
Metabolic studies.
Temperature.
While these and other experimental studies have been conducted on
animal
and cellular models, knowledge regarding human exposure has been almost
exclusively obtained retrospectively. [...]
(U) As can be seen from the above, quantitation of the biological
responses to electromagnetic exposure is a very complex problem because
of the wide frequency spectrum [...]
(U) With these complicating factors in mind, the evaluation contained
in this report was undertaken. [...]
[Back to Index]
[---PAGE 3---]
SECTION
II
BIOLOGICAL
SIGNIFICANCE OF RADIOWAVES AND MICROWAVES
PART 1 - BLOOD
(U) Effects of electromagnetic
irradiation on the blood include biochemical variation, effects on
erythrocytes, changes in coagulation, and alterations in the blood
forming system. [...]
(U) Long-term ultrahigh frequency
(UHF) exposure in rats reportedly reduced the iron and copper content
in both the blood and muscle with a concomitant increase in iron
content in the liver. Similar exposure in chicks caused an
increase in total proteins and globulins, but decreased the albumin in
the plasma. [...]
(U) One study involved the
observation of several thousand persons working in microwave-irradiated
workshops, as well as animal experiments. In the human subjects, three
kinds of damage were found:
(1) Lymphocytosis and monocytosis.
(2) Granulocytopenia, monocytosis, and eosinophilia frequently
accompanied by absolute lymphocytosis.
(3) Moderate neutrophilia.
The degree of changes in the blood
could be correlated with exposure and/or duration of working period.
This determination was based on the relative changes as a function of
period of employment, which was felt to indicate a cumulative effect of
microwaves in the human body. The type and intensity of the exposure
was not documented.
[---PAGE 4---]
(U) Blood coagulation indices of dogs subjected to high intensity
super-high frequency fields were studied at intervals of ten minutes to
thirty days after irradiation. [...] The protective reaction was,
however, of short duration; the
irradiation-induced prolongation of coagulation time reappeared and the
animals' clotting times did not return to normal until at least fifteen
days after exposure. [...]
(U) The action of microwaves on human erythrocyte permeability to
potassium and sodium ions was also investigated. The mechanism of
action
appears to be an inhibition of active transport and an altered
diffusion through the pores in the membrane. The latter may be caused
by the influence of UHF energy on the membrane itself or on the
hydrated sodium cation and potassium cation. The microwaves either
change the membrane structure thereby increasing the passive sodium
cation and potassium cation diffusion and reducing the concentration
gradient, or somehow block the mechanism of active ion transport.
(U) The question of stability of microwave-induced changes in blood
components was addressed in chronic and acute tests using dogs and
rabbits. [...]
[---PAGE 5---]
(U) The primary concern of the present study was with electromagnetic
field effects, but numerous reports
regarding the effects of constant magnetic fields on the blood system
were noted during the review. As with electromagnetic effects, effects
on coagulation, biochemical properties, and formed elements were
observed.
(U) To summarize the effects of
electromagnetic radiation exposure on the blood, the following general
changes emerge although conflicting reports are also present:
(1)
General decrease in hemoglobin content.
(2) Generally reduced coagulation
times.
(3) Decrease in leucocyte count.
These findings are based largely on animal experimentation. [...]
[Back to
Index]
PART 2 - CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
(U) Heavy emphasis has been placed on investigations involving
electromagnetic radiation on the cardiovascular system. Effects on
hemodynamics include blood pressure variations and cardiac arrhythmias.
Also included are reports of a slowdown of intraventricular and
intra-atrial conduction, diffuse cardiac muscular changes, and
ventricular extrasystole. As with other effects, animal studies are
frequently reported and human reports are typically retrospective in
nature. Many of the variations noted on the cardiovascular system
result from central nervous system effects.
(U) Several reports concerning human cardiovascular effects from
super-high frequency exposure were reviewed. Functional changes were
noted, including a slight increase in the asynchronous contraction
phase, a tension period, as well as other data indicative of moderate
dystrophic changes of the myocardium accompanied by a disruption of
its contractive capacity.
(U) Comparison of a group of
engineers and administrative officials who were exposed to microwaves
for a period of years and an unexposed control group revealed a
significant higher incidence of coronary disease, hypertension, and
disturbances of lipid metabolism among the exposed individuals.
Hereditary predisposition to heart disease was approximately the same
in both groups, but overt disorders developed much more frequently in
the previously exposed group. It was concluded that microwaves may act
as a nonspecific factor which, under certain conditions, interferes
with adaptation to unfavorable influences. Exposures may, therefore,
promote an earlier onset of cardiovascular disease in susceptible
individuals.
[---PAGE 6---]
(U) Hemodynamic indices for thirty men in the 25-40 year age range who
had been exposed to UHF exposures for from two to ten years were
studied. These men showed a tendency
to bradycardia, moderate decrease in the stroke and minute volumes, and
a slowing of the rate of blood ejection from the left ventricle.
[...]
(U) Morphological changes in experimental mice exposed to short and
ultra-short wavelengths were observed. Two series of experiments were
conducted using 14.9 MHz and 69.7 MHz waves. In the first series,
twelve animals were subjected to single lethal doses of the
electromagnetic radiation. Very pronounced vascular dystrophic changes
were found throughout the organism. In the second series, 37 mice were
given daily 60-minute exposures to nonthermal intensities for five
months. Morphological studies of these animals showed slight vascular
disorders and compensatory proliferative processes in the internal
organs as well as dystrophic changes in brain cells.
(U) In a group of patients suffering from "radio wave disease",
cerebral
hemodynamic changes were observed. These included reduced intensity of
the pulse blood volume and an increase in tonicity of the intra- and
extra-cranial vessels. The changes did not, however, appear to be
functional in nature.
(C) Personnel exposed to microwave radiation
below thermal levels experience more neurological, cardiovascular, and
hemodynamic disturbances than do their unexposed counterparts. Some of
the cardiac and circulatory effects attributed to exposure include
bradycardia, hypotension, and changes in EKG indices (sinus
arrhythmia, extrasystole changes in intra-ventricular and intra-atrial
conduction, diminished amplitude of EKG deflections, etc.).
(U) The cardiovascular effects have always been of primary interest,
therefore, it is likely that research in this area will continue. [...]
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 7---]
PART 3 - CELLS
(U) Histological techniques have been used extensively for evaluating
the effects of electromagnetic radiation on cellular systems. [...]
(U) The most popular cells for study appear to be those of rat or mouse
liver. [...]
(U) The liver cells of rats exposed
for three hours to a 1.625 MHz field showed damage to the protein
synthesizing structures. [...] The mitochondria became swollen
and underwent lysis. Some giant mitochondria also appeared. [...]
(U) Phagocytic function has reportedly been increased by exposure to an
electromagnetic radiation field and induction of colicin synthesis has
been observed in E. coli irradiated with nonthermal intensity.
(U) In many cases, electromagnetic radiation effects occur at the
cellular level, therefore tissue culture techniques provide a well
controlled and accurate method for study of those effects. Ultrahigh frequency exposure of cultures of
rat fibroblasts, monkey kidney cells, and human embryo fibroblasts led
to degeneration of the culture in four to six days. The earliest
regeneration occurred in primary cell cultures. [...]
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 8---]
PART 4 - CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(U) Research on the effects of radiowaves and microwaves on the central
nervous system of humans was relatively widespread. [...]
(U) Subjects exposed to microwave
radiation exhibited a variety of neurasthenic disorders against a
background of angiodystonia (abnormal changes in tonicity of the blood
vessels). The most common subjective complaints were headache, fatigue,
perspiring, dizziness, menstrual disorders, irritability, agitation,
tension, drowsiness, sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, forgetfulness,
and lack of concentration.
(U) Various neurological disorders were investigated by studying the
vestibular and visual analyzer functions in persons exposed to radio
waves of varying types for various periods. [...] Conversely,
thirty-seven persons occupationally exposed to a superhigh frequency
microwave field (10 microW/cm2) over periods of two to eight
years, were studied; symptoms of
asthenic and autonomic vascular disturbances, endocrine shifts, and
abnormal EEG's were observed in half of the patients. Their reflexes in
responser to light and sound were weak, distorted, or nonexistent and
their skin galvanic reaction to flashing light was abnormally intense
and prolonged. [...]
(U) Long-term experiments conducted on rabbits demonstrated that
irradiation with intermittent or continuous low intensity microwave
fields elicits qualitatively and quantitatively different changes in
the EEG. [...]
[---PAGE 9---]
(C) Exposure of rabbits to low levels of
microwave radiation resulted in alteration of brain electrical
activity, but caused no detectable macroscopic or microscopic
histological changes. [...]
(U) Study of the rabbit visual cortex after a one minute exposure of
the head to 40 microW/cm2 at a wavelength of 12.5 cm
revealed changes in the frequency of the background activity of 52
percent of visual cortical neurons. [...]
(U) Histological examination of the cerebral cortex cells from rats
exposed to UHF at 5 to 15 microW/cm2 revealed the onset of
sclerosis and the formation of vacuoles in some of the cells.
(U) Some excellent studies using biopotential recordings were performed
to the determine the effect of microwaves on the kinetics of nerve
impulse conduction. [...]
[---PAGE 10---]
(U) These experiments indicate that microwaves may have a specific
effect of a nonthermal nature on EC [excitation conduction] and BA
[biopotential amplitude], causing sharp and reversible changes in these
functional parameters of nerve impulses. [...]
[Back to
Index]
PART 5 - DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
(U) A number of alterations in the
function of the gastrointestinal system were observed. [...] These included dyspeptic disorders, edema
of the gums, bleeding gums, alteration of the gastric acidity, and a
reduction of the tonus and evacuator functions of the stomach.
(U) Numerous animal studies have been conducted on the motor function
of the gastrointestinal tract and the secretory function of the
stomach. [...]
[---PAGE 11---]
(U) The effects of high frequency radiowaves on the content of nucleic
acids in the digestive organs of rabbits were studied. [...]
(U) The effects of microwaves (2307 MHz) on radiophosphorus resorption
in the stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon were studied in rabbits.
[...]
[Back to
Index]
PART 6 - GLANDS
(U) Investigations of the effects of radiowaves and microwaves on the
glandular system have been concentrated mainly on the adrenal,
pituitary, and the thyroid. [...]
(U) The functional status of the adrenal cortex in shipboard
specialists subjected to the effects of a UHF field was reviewed.
[---PAGE 12---]
(U) A quantitative assay of the gonadotropic hormones and growth
hormones in the pituitary body of rats exposed to microwave radiation
indicated that for a certain time after exposure, blocking or
inactivation of gonadotropin-releasing agents occurs in the
hypothalamus. Both neural-hormonal and pituitary gonadotropic
hypofunctional effects resulted from whole-body microwave irradiation.
(U) The general conclusion that can be drawn from various (both animal
and human) studies of the anterior pituitary and adrenal cortex is
that exposure to radiowaves and microwaves of thermal intensities
results in suppression of the hormone producing functions but exposure
to nonthermal intensities tends to enhance production.
[Back to
Index]
PART 7 - METABOLISM
(U) Electromagnetic radiation
exposure has been found to produce disturbances in carbohydrate energy
and nitrogen metabolism in the brain, liver, and muscles. It
appears that under electromagnetic exposure, macroergic compounds
become deficient due to disjunction of the oxidative phosphorylation
processes and deranged metabolism of carbohydrates. With respect to
nitrogen processes in the absence of correspondingly more vigorous
processes for its elimination.
(U) Exposure of rats to various intensities of electromagnetic fields
with a frequency of 48 KHz produced an increase of lactic and pyruvic
acids and a decreases in glycogen content in brain tissue. [...]
(U) The role of metabolic disturbances of the heart in development of
functional and structural changes under the influence of low frequency
impulse electromagnetic fields was studied. [...]
[---PAGE 13---]
(U) While these animal studies indicated an upset of some metabolic
pathways, the degree of functional impairment was relatively small and
probably not a significant factor. [...]
[Back to
Index]
PART 8 - REPRODUCTION
(U) The effects of electromagnetic radiation on reproductive systems
have been the subject of numerous animal studies. [...]
(U) The fertility of female white mice was also investigated. The
animals, irradiated as above, were mated during proestrus or early
estrus with nonirradiated males. Conception
in fifty-eight control animals was 94 percent, but only 75 percent
in irradiated animals. Long-term nonthermal microwave
irradiation
of male mice evoked diffuse changes in the testes. Subsequent mating of the animals resulted
in reduction in the size of litters.
(U) Microwave radiation at 10 and 50 mW/cm2 intensity was
administered for twenty and fifteen minutes respectively at various
stages of the twenty day gestation periods. The progeny showed reduced viability, poor
development, and anomalies. Changes in rate of postnatal
development and disturbances of higher nervous systems activity were
also observed.
(U) Female white mice were irradiated twice daily for one hour with 10
cm waves of low intensity (10 mW/cm2) up to the eighteenth
day of pregnancy. There were
stillbirths, a significant number of weak newborn, and a general
retardation of boy weight gain and growth. Other researchers
found similar effects in litters from females which had been exposed
twice daily for one hour to a 10 cm wavelength at an intensity of 10
mW/cm2) for five months prior to mating.
[---PAGE 14---]
(U) Genetic effects of
electromagnetic radiation were observed in other studies. [...]
(U) Although researchers noted a certain degree of specificity in the
pathological changes induced by microwave irradiation of mice, [...]
(U) Both sexes of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, were exposed
to study the effects of radiation-induced mutation. [...]
(U) A strain of Staphylococus aureus, known to be resistant to
penicillin, was exposed to an electromagnetic field. A mutant was found
to be sensitive to penicillin, probably due to a change in lipid
content.
(U) In summary, a large amount of research has been done on the
reproductive effects of EMR. However, effects on human reproduction,
especially on male fertility, have not been demonstrated.
[Back to
Index]
PART 9 - VISUAL SYSTEM
(U) The role of microwaves in cataract formation and visual damage has
been studied extensively in the past and is reasonably well understood.
[...]
(U) In another study, thirty-five workers regularly exposed to
microwave fields and having pronounced congenital lenticular cataracts
were examined over a one to three year period; [...]
[---PAGE 15---]
(U) Combined wavelengths over the range of the millimetric spectrum
were used in an animal study involving nine rabbits exposed for 35-70
minutes. [...]
(U) The Soviets have reported the occurrence of "acute attacks" (sic)
of
glaucoma (1304) cases which were correlated with geomagnetic
disturbances. [...]
(U) Although a growing body of evidence suggest that the microwave
power
density required to produce cataracts is incompatible with life, the
Soviets will continue to investigate the visual effects of EMR but
their effort will be reduced from its previous level.
[Back to
Index]
PART 10 - INTERNAL SOUND
PERCEPTION
(U) Perception of modulated microwave
signals which seem to be originating intracranially as characteristic
sounds is a phenomenon which was first reported in the US open
literature more than thirteen years ago. To produce sounds, peak
power densities of up to 80 mW/cm2 may be required, but the
average power density usually is 5 microW/cm2. The Soviets
have studied this phenomenon in order to determine the underlying
physiological mechanism(s) and to define the optimum irradiation
parameters needed to evoke the response. They found that when the fundamental
frequency of the electromagnetic stimulus was raised from 2050 to 2500
MHz, the reaction threshold rose significantly, but at a
frequency of 3000 MHz there was no reaction in the auditory centers.
The average intensity of electromagnetic radiation required to evoke
the response was less than 10 mW/cm2; it was concluded that the fundamental
signal frequency rather than the amount of energy constituted the
primary stimulus and that the observed phenomenon was sensory in nature.
(U) The Soviets will continue to investigate the nature of internal
sound perception. Their research will include studies on perceptual
distortion and other psychophysiological effects. The results of these
investigations could have military applications if the Soviets develop
methods for disrupting or disturbing human behaviour.
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 16 is Blank---]
[---PAGE 17---]
SECTION
III
MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS
(U) Most of the reported biological effects from radiowaves and
microwaves result from exposure to the higher frequency ranges. [...]
(U) Clinical studies were done on thirty subjects, aged 25 to 40 years,
exposed to industrial ultrahigh frequency centimeter waves at power
densities of 10 to 500 mW/cm2 for periods of time ranging
from 4 to 13 years. [...]
[---PAGE 18---]
(U) A second study was done on two groups of workers occupationally
exposed in the radio industry. [...]
(U) A lack of standards for measuring power levels represents a problem
which probably accounts for conflicting reports regarding the effects
of a given frequency and intensity. [...]
(U) Only a few studies involving electromagnetic interaction with the
immunological system have been reported. [...]
[---PAGE 19---]
(U) Soviet investigators have conducted studies on the effects of
microwave frequencies in combination with ionizing radiation, magnetic
fields, drugs, and nonionizing electromagnetic radiation of other
wavelengths. [...]
(U) In summary, this sections shows the rather broad front on which
Soviet researchers are investigating the biological effects of EMR.
[...]
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 20 is Blank---]
[---PAGE 21---]
SECTION
IV
DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH
METHODOLOGIES
The Soviet interest in the nonthermal effects of microwave radiation is
evident both from the standards established and the many low intensity
irradiation experiments conducted by their researchers.
The results of the research have encouraged the Soviets to investigate
methods for exploiting microwaves and radiowaves to produce
controllable
psychophysiological effects. [...]
Recently, US and other Western scientists have been quite concerned
with the vast difference between the two standards. [...] However, two
interesting possibilities presented below may partially explain the
lack of agreement:
a. Soviet researchers are using bath
exposure techniques. [...]
b. Much of the difference between US and Soviet thermal and nonthermal
positions may exist because of a definition problem. [...]
[---PAGE 22---]
It has been reported that some European Communist countries have
established two standards - one for the military and one for the
civilian sector. Although the civilian standards are lower, some
researchers feel that they are not low enough. Reports also indicate that a number of
female workers in industry may have aborted as a result of exposure to
microwave radiation ostensibly within the safety standards.
The extent to which microwaves and other nonionizing radiation causes
chromosome aberrations is somewhat of a controversial subject as is the
question of the reversibility of any possible injury. [...]
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 23---]
SECTION
V
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND STANDARDS
(U) Safety precautions and standards have been established in both the
US and USSR to protect not only persons who are occupationally exposed
but also to protect the health of persons living or working near
powerful generating or transmitting facilities. [...]
(C) Soviet research
has produced guidelines which were used to establish a value of 10
microW/cm2 per working day as the maximum admissible value
for microwave irradiation. [...] Exposures greater than 10 mW/cm2
are prohibited without approved safety equipment. [...]
[---PAGE 24---]
(U) Protective devices described for use in working near unacceptable
intensity fields include protective (metal-coated) eye glasses and
clothing and shielding of the source with special absorbers or sheet
metal or wire mask shields. [...]
(U) In an animal study, it was reported that oral administration of
caffeine in doses of 20 mg per kg lowered the duration of resistance
against hyperthermia caused by microwave irradiation. [...]
(C) Should
subsequent research result in adoption of the Soviet standard by
other countries, industries whose practices are based on less stringent
safety regulations could be required to make costly modifications in
order to protect workers. Recognition
of the .01 mW/cm2 standard could also limit the applications
of new electronic technology by making the commercial exploitation of
some products unattractive because of increased costs imposed by the
need for additional safeguards.
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 25---]
SECTION
VI
TRENDS, CONCLUSIONS AND FORECAST
(U) A significant amount of research continues to be performed in the
Eurasian Communist countries to establish the effects of radiowaves
and microwaves on biological systems. [...]
(U) The types of responses reportedly exhibited by the various
biological organs, processes, or functions are in line with what has
been reported by Westerns investigators. [...]
(C) No Eurasian
Communist research activity has been identified which can be clearly or
directly related to any military offensive weapons program. However,
Soviet scientists are fully aware of the biological effects of
low-level microwave radiation which might have offensive weapons
application. Their internal sound
perception research has great potential for development into a system
for disorienting or disrupting the behavior patterns of military or
diplomatic personnel; it could be used equally well as an
interrogation tool. The Soviets have also studied the
psychophysiological and metabolic changes and the alterations of brain
function resulting from exposure to mixed frequencies of
electromagnetic radiation. One
physiological effect which has been demonstrated is heart seizure.
This has been accomplished experimentally in frogs by synchronizing a
pulsed ultrahigh frequency microwave signal of low average-power
density with the depolarization of the myocardium and beaming the
signal at the thoracic area. A frequency probably could be found which
would provide sufficient penetration of the chest wall of humans to
accomplish the same effect. Another possibility is alteration of the
permeability of the blood-brain barrier. This could develop server
neuropathological symptoms and either die or become seriously impaired
neurologically.
[---PAGE 26---]
(C) A study published in 1972 by the US Army
Mobility Equipment Research and Development Center, titled "Analysis of
Microwaves for Barrier Warfare" examines the plausibility of using
radio frequency energy in barrier-counterbarrier warfare. It
discusses both anti-personnel and anti-materiel effects for lethal and
nonlethal applications for meeting the barrier requirements for delay,
immobilization, and increased target exposure. The report concluded that:
a. It
is possible to field a truck-portable microwave barrier system that
will completely immobilize personnel in the open with present-day
technology and equipment.
b. There is a strong potential for a
microwave system that would be capable of delaying or immobilizing
personnel in vehicles.
c. With present technology no method could be identified for a
microwave system to destroy the type of armored materiel common to
tanks.
(C) The above study
is recommended reading material for those consumers who have an
interest in the application of microwave energy to weapons. A
discussion of weapons is not within the scope of this study.
(C) The immediate danger from microwave barrier
weapons is burns. The US Army Medical Research Laboratory at
Fort Knox, Kentucky, has conducted tests on burns with microwaves. They have produced third-degree burns on
human skin with 20W/cm2 in two seconds with frequencies of
approximately 3 GHz. The study also points out that a microwave
barrier can be set up with existing state-of-the-art technology and
off-the-shelf hardware. Considering the Soviet expertise in the area of
electromagnetic energy, which is probably very close to, if not on a
par with that of the US, the
possibility must be accepted that they too have investigated microwave
energy for barrier warfare and that they are also concerned with the
biological effects of this type of radiation. Close monitoring
of their research efforts on burns and burn therapy may possibly reveal
Soviet efforts to develop countermeasures against microwave barrier
warfare.
(C) Even though radiowaves and microwaves can
exert their influence over great distances, high intensities over large
distances are not practical. Accordingly, the potential for an
offensive military capability employing such waves is small and any
resulting thermal biological effects have not been sufficiently
documented. Nonthermal effects,
however, could be initiated over relatively large distances and areas,
but the effects are not well enough defined to support possible
offensive military application of this energy. The possibility
of regulation of body function through nonthermal interactions with the
neurological system has been postulated by some USSR investigators. If
this is proven possible, it might prove militarily important, but no
solid experimental evidence to support such a hypothesis has been
presented.
[---PAGE 27---]
(C) Soviet research
on the biological effects of microwave radiation is committed to
clarification of the correlation between biological effects and power
densities. [...]
(C) A move to adopt
stringent occupational and public health standards for microwave
radiation is being led by Polish researchers. [...]
(C) The hazards of
nonionizing electromagnetic radiation will be studied with greater
attention to combined radiation effects, e.g., microwaves and soft
X-rays, noise, changes in ambient temperatures, humidity, psychogenic
stimuli, and other factors. [...]
[---PAGE 28---]
(C) Soviet
electromagnetic radiation research will continue on a cautious level
without straying very far from present approaches. [...]
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 29---]
SECTION
VII
INFORMATION GAPS
(U) Little information regarding the effects of relatively low
frequency radiowaves was available. [...]
(U) A limited amount of information regarding the effects of
environmental conditions on susceptibility to damage from radiowave
exposure was reviewed. [...]
(U) The effects of relatively low level exposure to radiowaves (such as
might be encountered by persons living in the vicinity of high powered
radio stations) are not well documented. [...]
(U) No official safety standards have been identified for Albania,
Bulgaria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and the Asian Communist countries. [...]
[Back to
Index]
[---PAGE 30 is Blank---]
[---PAGE 31---]
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE
REPORT NUMBER
DST-1810S-074-76
TITLE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION (RADIOWAVES AND
MICROWAVES) - EURASIAN COMMUNIST COUNTRIES (U)
TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED
Trend Study, Group II, Biennially
AUTHOR
Mr. Ronald L. Adams
Dr. R. A. Williams (Battlelle Columbus Laboratories)
PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND
ADDRESS
US Army Medical Intelligence and Information Agency
Washington, DC 20314
PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK, AREA
& WORK UNIT NUMBERS
DIA Task No. PT-1810-02-75
CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS
US Army Medical Intelligence and Information Agency
Washington, DC 20314
REPORT DATE
March 1976
NUMBER OF PAGES
36
MONITORING AGENCY NAME & ADDRESS
Defense Intelligence Agency
Washington, DC 20301
SECURITY CLASS
CONFIDENTIAL
DECLASSIFICATION/DOWNGRADING
SCHEDULE XGDS
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Distribution limited to US Government agencies only; foreign
information; March 1976. Other requests for this document must be
referred to the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC 20301
KEY WORDS
Animal vulnerability, biological effects, electromagnetic radiation,
human vulnerability, microwaves, radiowaves, research trend, safety
standards, super high frequency radiation, therapeutic effects.
ABSTRACT
(U) This study was undertaken to provide a review and evaluation of the
current Eurasian Communist country state-of-the-art in the area of the
effects of radiowaves and microwaves. It generally covers the 1968-1975
period. The major topics include discussions of the effects on humans
and animals. The study provides information on the general trends of
research with special attention to possible military applications.
where
appropriate, information on safety standards and research personalities
and facilities is provided.