Thermal models for microwave hazards and their role in standards development

We consider the thermal response of the body to radiofrequency (RF) energy, with emphasis on partial-body exposure, to assess potential thermal hazards. The thermal analysis is based on Pennes' bioheat equation. In this model, the thermal response is governed by two time constants. One (tau1) pertains to heat convection by blood flow and is (for physiologically normal perfusion rates) on the order of 3 min. The second (tau2) characterizes heat conduction, and varies as the square of a distance that characterizes the spatial extent of the heating. We examine three idealized cases. The first is a region of tissue with an insulated surface, subject to irradiation with an exponentially decreasing SAR, which models a large surface area of tissue exposed to microwaves. The second is a region of tissue in contact with a hemispherical electrode that passes current into it, which models exposure from contact with a conductor. The third is a region of tissue with an insulated surface, subject to heating from a dipole located close to it. In all three cases, we estimate the maximum steady-state temperature increase as a function of the relevant electrical and thermal parameters and the thresholds for thermal hazard. We conclude that thermal models are a potentially fruitful but underutilized means of analyzing thermal hazards from RF fields. A quantitative analysis of such hazards enables the development of data-based uncertainty factors, which can replace arbitrary "safety factors" in developing exposure limits. Finally, we comment on the need to marry quantitative modeling of data and risk assessment, and to incorporate contemporary approaches to risk assessment into RF standards development.