Effects of Long-Term Radiofrequency Radiation on Immunological Competence and Metabolism

摘要

Two groups of 20 rats were exposed 21 h/day for 6 and 12 mo, respectively, to 10-microsecond-pulsed 2450-MHz microwaves at 800 pps and 8-Hz modulation, at an average power density of .48 mW/sq. cm (SAR 0.15-0.4 W/kg) in circularly polarized waveguides. Equal numbers of rats were sham exposed. Effects seen in the previous study (elevated corticosterone level afer 6 wk exposure; increased B and T cells in rats at 13 mo exposure) were not replicated in this study. Quantitative immunological tests involving 70 parameters showed six different showed six different effects. Among them, increased hematopoietic progenitor cells in the marrow was the only consistent effect in both 6- and 12-mo exposed groups. In the second part of the study three groups of rats were exposed 21 h/day to 2450-MHz CW microwaves at an average SAR of 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 W/kg (10 rats each) under three environmental temperatures (17.8, 22.2, and 26.7 C) over three 6-wk periods. Metabolism--including body mass, food/water intake, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production--was measured, and health profile and immunological response were monitored. Results show that the effects are highly dependent on exposure level and environmental temperature. Keywords: Blood chemistry; Histopathology.