Hyperthermia in radiofrequency-exposed rhesus monkeys: a comparison of frequency and orientation effects

To compare the effects of exposure to a near-resonant frequency of microwaves at two orientations with a higher frequency exposure, five rhesus monkeys were exposed for 4 hr to 225 MHz, electric field oriented parallel to the long axis of the body (225 MHz-E), and to 225 MHz, magnetic field orientation (225 MHz-H), or to 1290 MHz, electric field orientation. On a separate occasion, the monkeys were exposed at night to 225 MHz-E. Exposures were conducted with the animal chair restrained in an anechoic chamber with rectal temperature continuously monitored. Blood samples were taken hourly during the 225-MHz-E exposures for cortisol analysis. The power densities used were 0, 1.2, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 15.0 mW/cm2 for 225 MHz-E (day), 0 and 5 mW/cm2 (225 MHz-E night and 225 MHz-H), and 0, 20, 28, and 38 mW/cm2 (1290 MHz). The monkeys were unable to tolerate exposure at power densities equal to or greater than 7.5 mW/cm2 (5.1 W/kg) at 225 MHz-E for longer than 90 min. The criterion for tolerance was that the rectal temperature would not exceed 41.5 degrees C. Average rectal temperature increases for day exposure to 225 MHz-E were 0.4 and 1.7 degrees C for 4-hr exposures to 2.5 and 5.0 mW/cm2 (1.7 and 3.4 W/kg). No changes in circulating cortisol levels occurred during any exposures to 5 mW/cm2 or less. Night exposures to 5 mW/cm2 (3.4 W/kg) at 225 MHz-E raised mean rectal temperature 2.1 degrees C. Exposure to 5 mW/cm2 (1.2 W/kg) at 225 MHz-H for 4 hr resulted in a 0.2 degree rise in mean rectal temperature. For 4 hr of 1290-MHz exposure to 20, 28, or 38 mW/cm2 (2.9, 4.0, and 5.4 W/kg), the mean body temperature increases were 0.4, 0.7, and 1.3 degrees C, respectively. The degree of hyperthermia caused by radiofrequency (rf) exposure was shown to be frequency and orientation dependent for equivalent power densities of exposure.