Biological effects of chronic exposure to high power microwaves in rats

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.