Biological Hazards of Microwave Radiation

Microwave radiation is becoming more prevalent in the environment due to the increased use of radar units, guidance systems, power transmission lines, certain ovens and various appliances that use or produce radiation with frequencies between 300 and 300,000 MHz. As a result of the increased use of microwave radiation, the public is becoming more aware of microwaves and, therefore, more concerned about the risks involved in the use of microwave generators. The effects of microwave radiation on a biological system can be divided into two major groups, thermal and nonthermal. Thermal effects have received more attention and the bulk of the research to date. Most of the work discussed in this review reports on the thermal effects on biological organs exposed to various, but controlled, power densities of microwave radiation.