Pulsed High-Peak Power Microwaves at 9.4 GHz Do Not Affect Basic Endpoints in Caenorhabditis elegans

Because of the extensive application of electromagnetic technology, its health impact on humans has attracted widespread attention. Due to the lack of a model organism with a stable response to electromagnetic waves, the research conclusions on the biological effects of electromagnetic waves have been vague. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of irradiation by pulsed 9.4 GHz high-power microwaves with a peak power density of 2126 W/cm² using Caenorhabditis elegans. The development, movement, egg production, ROS, and lifespan of C. elegans were detected at different times after irradiation with different repetitive frequencies of 10, 20, and 50 Hz for 30 min. The results indicated that no obvious changes in basic life indices were induced compared with the sham radiation group, but the survival rate of positive control was significantly decreased compared with other groups, which is of interest for microwave protection research based on C. elegans and provides data for updating safety standards with respect to pulsed high-peak power microwave. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.