A Technical Review of THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NON-IONIZING RADIATION May 15, 1978 A Report Prepared for The Office of Science and Technology Policy by an ad hoc Working Group This report does not reflect, necessarily, the views of the Office of Science and Technology Policy or the Executive Office of the President.EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY October 18, 1978 osTP STAFF FROM: ferber suBJeCT: OSTP Report on Non-fontzing Electronagnetic Radiation AAs you may know OSTP had a group of technical experts review the biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. The group produced a report dated May 15, 1978, The Report was sent to the involved agencies for their conments and I produced a summary of the responses dated Septenber 15, 1978, ‘A copy of the Report and Sumary are enclosed for your information. We have sent them to the members of the Working Group and to the heads of all the involved agencies as well as OMB. ‘The coordination role in this area is now the responsibility of the National Telecomunications and Information Administration (NTTA) of the Departnent of Commerce. NTIA is preparing an update of the annual survey of Federal activity in this area, which should be a valuable Companion to OSTP's document. If you would like additional copies please contact me or Betty Marshall. ‘The report eventually will be entered into the NTIS system. EnclosuresSeptenber 15, 1978 Surmary_of Agency Connents on h Technical Review of the Biological Effects of Non-Lonizing Radiation” Jn a8 hoe Working Group was established by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to review the biological effects of non- jonizing electromagnetic radiation (NEMR). The tasks undertaken by the Working Group were to provide a current review of the present state of knowledge of the biological effects of NEMRs to Indicate current national research needs; and to recommend the priorities which should be given to rreeting these needs. The Working Group, consisting of technical experts in the field and chaired by Donald 1. MeRee, produced a report "A Technical Review of the Biological Effects of Non-ionizing Radiation," dated Nay 15, 1978. Upon receipt of the Report from the Working Group, OSTP asked the agencies of the Federal Government involved in this field to comment. Specifically the agencies were requested to indicate whether or not, ‘they agreed with the analysis in the Report of the present state of knowledge and the priorities assigned to the various research needs. The Report was sent to the following agencies Department of Health, Education and Welfare (DHEW) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Food end Org. Administration (FDA) National Institute of Occupational Safety and HeaTth Departnent of Defense (000) Departnent of the Amy Departrent of the Navy Department of the Air ForceDepartment of Commerce National Bureau of Standards Nationel Teleconmunications and Information Administration Department of Energy (D0) Environmental Protection Agency National Science Foundation Departnent of Transportation Federal Communications Conmission (FCC) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Veterans Administration AMV of the agencies contacted responded to OSTP's request to comment on the Report. Essentially there were no major disagreements with the basic teennicat conclusions resched by the Korking Group. However, comments were received on certain specitic technical aspects of the Report and are sunmarized below. Senerat DOE: The report is primarily oriented toward radio frequency radiation (RER) and does not deal as extensively, either in the section on the present state of knowledge or in the section on research needs, with the high voltage transrission lines (HVTL) issues. These involve basically extrenely low frequency electric or magnetic fields. However, in the biological effects ares, most of the research needs and priorities apply to both RFR and HVTL. To meet its needs, DOE has initiated a program to Study electric field measurements; and the biological, behavioral, and annoyance effects of HVTL. Present State of Knowledge DKEW/NIEKS: "Al though the state of knowledge section states that many of the reported biological effects, even at low levels of exposure, can possibly be explained by thermal mechanisns (either acrothermai or fierothernal), a significant anount of data exists which indicates @ direct interaction of the electronagnetic fields with biological systens, particularly the nervous system, The report emphasizes the thermal Explanations because of the basic fact that RFR energy heats; but considering four present state of knowledge, this should not preclude the possibility Of direct interactions or de-etphasize research to investigate such jnteractions."DHEW/FOA: "Me are concerned, however, that certain value Judgments have appeared in the latest version of the evaluation of the present state of knowledge which appears in the report. for example, in the section on Ctnetic Erfects, @ set of data showing differential sensitivity between Cell lines is identified as indicating "conflicting results.’ In fact, Gitterential sensitivity between cell Tines 1s expected based upon the Tesults of years of radiation biology experience in the United States. This sane section also overenphasizes heritable genetic effects to the Exclusion oF research on damage to the genetic material of sonatic cells.” Research Needs and Priorities oD: Believes high priority should be given 1) to the means of extrapolating faninal data to hunans; and 2) to behavioral studies. CIA: Believes behavioral effects should be considered as a subset of heurciogical effects and accorded the Same high priarity as other neurological effects needs. Fcc: Believes that there is a misnatch between the frequencies which ere ‘host common in the generel environnent and those on which most of the Pesearch 1s being done, For example, most of the overall exposure and The nlghest exposure levels are in the 88 to 108 Miz range while largest portion of research is being conducted at 7Skz, 9TOWKz, 2450 MHz and in Che Giz band. Also, because of the increased Use of hand held (imatkie talkie") units research 1s critically needed on the effects at the related frequencies and power densities. DEN/FOR: Believes that the need to investigate synergisns should be fdded to the research aspects of all biological studies given on page 50. iso believes that the research needs should be grouped," in order of Gescending priority: 1) immune system studies, genetic effects studies , feratology end development: 2) nervous systen’ studies, menbrane studies » Fertility ang reproduction studies; and 3) behavioral ‘studies, cardiovascular effects studless ocular effects Studies, overall ecosystem studies. Prepared by Carl R. Gerber, Office of Sclence and Technology Policy| TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NON-IONIZING. RADIATION A Report Prepared for the Office of Science and Technology Policy by an ad hoe Korking Group May 15, 1978contents Executive Suamary Pages 6 Preface Pages 7-13 1 Present climate Pages Present State of Knowledge Pages fesearch Needs and Reconmandat fons Pages Cone us fons Pages Rererences Pages. 53-54 { APPENDIX A: Members of the ag noc Working Group ' APPENDIN B: Glossary of RFR and VTL Technical Terms APPENDIX C: "Program Tor Controt af Electromagnetic Pollution of ' ‘the Enviroment: The Aisessnent of Biological Hazards of Nonfonizing Electromagnetic Radiation"EXECUTIVE suvmney [an ad hoc Working Group was established by the OFfice of Science and Teennology Policy to examine scientific aspects associated with the biological effects of "non-fonizing! electronagnetic (NER) radiation. The subject of this Yeport. includes radio-frequency radiation (RFR) fron 1 Hz to 300 GHe and ‘electric and magnetic fields associated with both direct current (DC) and alternating current (60 Hz AC) high voltage transmission Vines (HVTL). These fare non-ionizing in that these energies do net normally produce fonization in biological Uissues as do X-rays or other ionizing radiations. The task of the Working Group was to provide an up-to-date review of the present state of knowledge of the biological effects of NEMR and to recommend current national research needs The concern that RFR and HTL Fields may have potentially havaful biotogical ettects has grown as their uses have increased, uring the last half century, the uses of RF spectrum have growr enormously and have becone an ‘ntogral part of modern society, providing many valuable services te mankind in ‘the for of communication systens, broadeas:ing systens, radars, industrial Processes, consuner products and medical equipment. Responsible use of any ‘vechnology must include an assessment of the impact of that use on man and the enviroment. In this context, the continuitg proliferation of sources of RF energy and high voltage transmission 1ines has Ted to quest ions of whether these produce another enviranmenta} agent. that may be potentially dangerous to hunns and other 1ife forms Public awareness of the potential of exoosure to RFR and HVTL fields has ‘greatly increased, Recent magazine articles, news coverage, the controversy surrounding the Seafarer progran, and the misrowave signals at the U.S, Embassy jn Moscow have a7 sensitized the public. This public concern and the Tact that.additional, reliable information 1s required to evaluate effects and to develop appropriate guidelines for exposure makes selection and coordination of research aT1 the more urgent. Research during the past five years has Ted to significant advances, both in research methodology and in knowledge of the effects of RFR on living systens, This work has indicated that one biological systems exhibit responses to RFR at exposure intensities that were previously considered to be too low to produce detectable alterations (e.g., in the range of 1-10 ni/en®). But the extent to which RFR induced perturbations actually conpronise Tiving systens has not been determined nor are the RFR corditions necessary to produce an observed alteration well defined. Recent investigations of the effects of RFR fon the nervous systen and on the reticulsendothelial system, including Snmunolagical processes, have produced significant new information. Although present evidence is scanty, blonenbrane alterations appear to be Involved in many of the reported effects. These studies provide directions for future research and information that may contribute to developing @ better Understanding of mechanisas. Much Tess research has been done on the effects of nigh voltage transaission line fields and biological systens have not been adequately tested to determine if deleterious interactions occur. Najor difficulties in reliably evaluating consequences of exposure of humans to RFR and HVTL fields are the paucity of human data, insufficient valid ‘data on experimental animals, and the problens, not unique to this field, of extrapolating data from animals to man. The current Tack of understanding of basic mechaniens of how low-intensity fields interact with biological systens compounds the problem, Research to-date har not resolved these difficulties, but it has helped to define the nature and scope of the problen and has provided directions for continuing researchIt is difficult presently to develop meaningtu1 guidelines for exposure due to insufficient data covering a variety of different exposure conditions, #.9. frequencies, waveforms and durations of exposure. Investigations of the influence of these RER paraneters need to be considered in biological effects research. It fs also essential in conjunction with biological effects research {0 Incorporate Tong-term, low-level studies, mechanisms of interaction studies, land to develop appropriate instrumentation and dosinetrie techniques. Areas of biological effects research which are considered highest priority based on current knowledge and recent research include the nervous system, Feticuloendothelial system, menbrane structsre and function, and teratologic and developnental effects, Well designed, prospective studies on selected hunan populations such as workers and others exposed to RFR and HVTL fields at various intensity levels are also recomended. Although results to dite have not shown genetic effects at moderate levels of exposure in mammalian systens, long-term, genetic studies ‘should be continued in view of the significance of such changes should they occur. Other biological effect studies which are important but not of the highest priority include behavioral, cardiovascular, ocular, fertility and raproduction, and overal’ ecosystem invest gat ons The potential for beneficial uses of RFR, particularly in the bionedical field, must be recognized and should be further explorad. Biological ettects research is essential to the establishment cf rational guidelines for exposure without unduly restricting beneficial applications It fs fn the national interest that sufficient resources be made available ‘to conduct the research needed to develop a sound scientific basis for rational ‘auide) ines for exposure to RFR and HVTL fielcs. This requires effective central coordination of agency prograns, supported by adequate budgets for research, and development of additional research facilities that might be required.rerace The OfTice of Science and Technolegy Po'iey (OSTP) established an at hoc Working Group of knowledgeable persons to examine the scientific knowledge and research requirenents associated with the biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (NEMR). A List of menbers of this ad hoe Working Group is attached (Appendix A). OSTP asked the Working Group to address the foVowing questions nat 1s the present state of knowledge concerning the bictogical effects of NENR? 2. hat are the areas of weakness (n the base of sctentific knowledge? 3, What research is required to determine and understand the biological effects of NENR? 4. vat ave the relative priorities for conducting this research? This report is the result of a two day veeting of the ad hoc Working Group {in Washington, 0.C, on March 21-22, 1978. Fron the information generated at the meeting, written naterial brought to the meeting by participants, and ‘information developed by OTP/ERHAC in the course of recent overview activities, 4 discussion draft was written by the Chairmn and sent to atl participants for coment. From these coments, 2 second draft wes written by the Chairman and sent to the participants for further comments. The final report was assenbled by the Chairman of the ad toc Morking Group after conents on the second draft. were received, ue to the short Line avatlatle for developing the report, It is rot meant to be an all inclusive decument sut rather a current. statenent to assist in the future developnent of 2 aore formal long-term research progran, These current recommendations are consistent and within the franevork of the broader guidelines for a comprehensive coordinated program as set forth in Appendix,The discussions in this docunent are focused on radio-frequency radlatfon (RFR), f.e., radio waves, in the frequency range from 1 Hz to 300 Gi: and on electric and magnetic Fields associated with high voltage transmission Vines (HTL) (Figure 1). Microwave radiation is defined as that portion of the RF spectrum with frequencies ranging fram 300 Mz to 300 Giz. Electric and agnetic fields associated with power generation and transnission are also fncluded, 0 Hz for direct current (DC) and 60 Hz for alternating current (AC). For WIL fields, the electric fields are produced by potential differences between the current-carrying conductors and the ground. The magnetic fields are Droduced by the current flowing in the conductors: the greater the current the strongor the magnetic Field. Other non-ion'zing electromagnetic radiations, such as Infrared, visible and ultraviolet with frequencies greater than 300 GHz, are not considered in this report. A glossary of pertinent electronagnetic radiation terms is. presented in Aopendix 8. snrRooucrroN We are living in an enviroment which contains man-made non-foni2ing radiation. Technological advances have tranendovsly increased the number of applications of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum between 0 and 300 Giz For example, prior to World War II, the use of micromave radiation was negligible, Microwave generators for conmurications, military applications, ‘iathermy, food processing, and many industrial applications now nusber in the nitions. Since 1970, the nunber of microveve sources has increased signifi= cantly, primarily from sales of microwave ovens. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that 20 percent of the work force wiTl be exposed to industrial RFR in the work place by 1980, Unfortunately, research to detect and evaluate biologie effects of nan-‘onizing radiation has not yet generated information upon which quantitative and° Figure 1 ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM Frequen avetenth aoe — (ieiesst Electric Power Radio ae waves 1 aie = _] Microwaves PUTTY TT 12 ol? a TerrestTaT—] solar Speczrun Infra Phisinne Tt + Ultraviotet 10! ie ol 42] Le — | X nays 21 1 10? te yhays ——} re i — at we? we Cosmic Rays 3.x 10° m/sec = speed of Tight ‘frequency (Hz) x davelength (n) Taken from reference 7 3x10! 3x10’ 3x10? ow TONIZENG owtzINGscientifically sound RFR exposure standarés can be set for the general Population or occupational groups To provide perspective of the present situation, some past and current activities will be discussed. Early in 1967, the Office of Teleconunications Management, predecessor to the Office of Telecanmunications Policy (OTP), held discussions with academic, industrial, and government personnel in the interest of providing a mechanism for review and a central focus {n this area, As a First step, the Electromagnetic Radiation Managenent Advisory Council CERAAC) was established to advise on possible unintended effects and the adequacy of control oF RFR. The Counci) is comprised of individuals with expertise in a broad spectrum of pertinent technical disciplines; .e., biological sciences, Physical sciences, and engineering. It cenducted an extensive review of sclentific tnovledge, requirements and status of research, agency responsibilities, ané funding. In December 1971, a document was issued that recommended action guidelines and budgetary appropriations for a coordinated Program anong cognizant agencies of the Jevernment. for control of the electromagnetic environment. This document is attached a Appendix C. It vecoanends initiation of a program of survey, testing, and research in order to establish a rational scientific basis for determining potential hazards from radio-frequency radiation, and continues to provide valuable and comprehensive ‘quidel ines for a national research pragran in this area ‘The OTP/ERMAC program has been a unique approach to interdepartnental responsibilities. Although this area fs act a principal mission for any one agency, several agencies do have relevant responsibilities derived from the primary mission, For example, principal agencies include Departnent of Defense (Air Force, Amy, Navy), Departwent of Health, Education and Welfare (BRI, NIEHS, NIOSH), Environmental Protection Agercy, National Bureau of Standards,u National Science Foundation, and Veterans Adninistration, The OTP/ERNAC program was structured to utilize existing agency missions and capabilities. Agencies" missions and operational needs were viewed as incentives for then to Uutitize thet technical capabiTities and reswurces to conduct research. In the decade prior to the initiation of the OTP/ERKAC coordination, research was fextronely Vimited and there was little if any interagency interaction. OTP has Sought to promote effective use of avaflable resources and inforsation, enphasizing the priority of this research anong other inportant canpeting priorities. An interagency Working Group was farmed to faciTitate coordination fof goverment activities and the exchange of ‘nformation. ERIAC reviews program activities and progress tovard increasing the state of knowledge regarding the biological effects of RFR. These activities have reduced fragmentation by Providing a forun in which current results and future plans are presented, criticized, and often revised in a way that could be accomplished by no other rmechanian short of divect budgetary control. OTIVERHAC activities have produced an interchange among scientists, engineers, government experts, agency heads who are responsible for budgets, and directors of programs with specific snissions-~groups whase paths seldom intersect. In 1976 the then Energy Research and (evelopment Administration (ERDA) formed an interagency committee to. exchange information and to coordinate ‘government research anong agencies concerned with effects of electric fields associated with power transnission lines. This committee continues to function Under the Oepartaent. of Eneray (O0E). Its role is quite different from that of OTP/ERMAC Tor RFR. Its primary function is the sharing of information on research sponsored by different agencies, reviewing contract and grant proposals, and, in sone cases, reviewing progress on contracted research. No attempt has been aade to develop guidance or recomendations for a national program,@ Another activity which pointed out needs for research in the area of non fonizing radiation was undertaken in 1976, 4 Task Force for Research Planning ‘in Envivonental Health Sciences was held wider the auspices of the National Institute of Enviromental Mealth Sciences (AIEHS). The central thene of this task force was to define the impact of chenfcal and physical factors on the health of man and to recomend research needhd to evaluate the consequences of these environmental factors. A report ensitled, “Hunan Health and the Environment. ~ Sone Research Weeds" was published in early 1977 (7). This document includes recomendations for reseerch which is important. to the Aeterwination of the effects of non-ionizing IF radiation on the health of man Progress has been nade in other areas wich are important to the solution of this scientific problem. During the past Five years a tremendous increase in ‘international contact and cooperation, particularly with scfentists of Easter European Countries, has developed. The firs: major international syaposium on the “iological Effects and Health lazards of Microwave Radiation," jointly sponsored by the World Health Organization, J. ONEW (BRK) and the Scientific Council to the Ministry of Health and Socts] Welfare, Poland, was held in Warsaw, in 1973, Since 1973 other international symposia have been held with Significant representation from the Eastern European Countries, including the soviet Unton In 1972 the United States and the Soviet Union signed an Agreement to Cooperate in the Fields of Medical Science and Public Health, This agreement ‘includes cooperation in the area of enviromental health. In 1975, the biological effects of microwave radiation was added to the environmental health agreonent. In 1977 a second topic, biological effects of static and tov Frequency electromagnetic fields, was added at the request of the Soviet Union. ‘The cooperation includes exchange of national Viterature, regular reporting ofresearch results on specific projects of interest, conduct of replicate research with the sane experimental protocols, and a regular exchange of scientists. The cooperative program is continuing and expanding to include other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, and to involve more scientists and organizations from both the United States and the Soviet Union PRESENT CLIMATE To provide sone background and context of research far understanding the present situation in this area, a brief discussion on the current uses of radio~ Frequency sources, enviromental levels, and exposure standards or guidelines, and public concern will be presented, The uses of RF energy of different frequencies ave shown in Figure 2, During the last 50 years, the use of the RF spectrun has grovn enormously and has become an integral part of modern socfety, providing many valuable services to mankind in the form of communications systens, navigation, broadcasting, radars, industrial processes, consuner Products and medical applications. Responsible use of any technology should ‘include an assessnent of the inpact of that ase on man and the environment. In this context, the continuing proliferation of RF energy generators and the ‘expanding uses of RF energy have led to the question: Does RFR constitute another environmental agent. Unat aay be dangerous to aan and other forns of Tife and, Sf $0, under what conditions? The growth in RF sources represents significant economic investaents, During 1976, sales of conmunications and electronic products totalled $38.9 biTlion, an increase of $11.1 bilTion since 1971. Of this total, about 48 percent went into the communications and industrial market; 38 percent into the overnmant market; and 18 percent into the consurer-product market. The current estimated U.S, Goverment depreciated capital investaent in electronics 1s $67 biNTion and it 1s expected to grow to $99 biT"ion by 1986.“ Figure 2, RADIOFREQUENCY anvns Frequency | wave Lengths | sand designation Jypica_uses Coe a TESS Ha TRL RREY | — SAAT TEs am TeRRTORT, (oie) radar, microvave Felay, Fadiotavigation, amateur radio, ‘ndustrial, setentitic, medica iss) ae u ar WR Tea ETT Sone (sir) radar, aneteur, microwave relay, airborne weather radar lee 10 ara Fane “ORE GE CoRR (oir) amateur, taxi, pole, re, Facar,"estizens! Bandy radio: navigation, UaF-1Vy microwave Ovens, medical dtathersy, ISH core : ra WN Trea Wels, Fire, atau (va hy HET, inausteiad Re eauipeent, diathermy, emergency edical radio 20 Wi ee Trea bana ties ‘edical diathermy, Voice of limaree, broadcast, Internationel Cominications, Industrial WF equrprent lie a Hea Frag ~Coeman TERT, radTenav gaan, te) marine reeSophone, anateury industelat AF equipeents A Broadcast soo IG a TERT aT Ona GRETA RAFTS th fonmunieations, Tong range 30 tt 10 ae Tar Trea Very Tong range earinea TORE, ie) audlofrequencies ole 10 vores are Votes, audTarraquencter iF 200 He 1000 on ety Ta TraqURRET | Far TTS, aueTOFTeqUENCTET f ctr) Submarine: communes ions 20 104 i 0 He DiFeet current power Tres‘The consumer has contributed heavily tovard the growth of the electronics Industry and the Introduction of RF sources. The number of microwave ovens in operation as of January 1970 was estinated at about 50,000 units. In 1971 it was pregicted that sales of wicrovave ovens for the hon, during 1975, would reach 200,000; actually in 1976, 1.6 million ovens vere sold. There has been unanticfpated, explosive growth in consumer demand for citizens band (C8) radios in recent years, There are approxinately 30 million CB's currently in use, operating in the high-frequency (HF) band with maxinun authorized radiated power of four watts, Estimates have been made that four to Five million sets were sold fn 1975 and that sales would double during 1977, It should be noted that the public 1s increasing its demand for more frequency spectrun and consideration has been given to the allocation ef additional frequencies, possibly even in other bands. NIOSH estimates that over 35 million industrial RF sources are now in-use Commercial and governmental demands for, and uses of, communication products remain strong. The establishment of donestic satellite conunications systens, increased use of mobITe radio, and increased demands for traditional services such as brosdeasting, are but @ fen exanples of wty the conmunications market continves to expand, The Federal Comunications Conmissian (FCC), as of 197, had authorized over 9 milTion transaitters. In the U.S. Government sector, there have been over 148,000 radio-frequency assigneents as of 1978. It rust be recognized that one assignnent may represent. hundreds ar even thousands of individual transmitting devices. For economic reasons, there has been a hnarked increase in the utilization of polntto-point microwave transmission via relay towers or satellites for conveying large quantities of voice, video and other information, Two-way mobile radio services (450-512 Miz) have undergone ‘dranatic growth. Virtually every type of business and Industry has viewed thistype of rapid-comunication service as a vital managenent tool. This type of communications has also been important in improving the delivery of medical care land for environmental and safety services. “he FOC has recently authorized new ‘frequencies in the 805-947 Mz range for land:nobile use. Grovth also continues ‘in public broadcasting. As of May, 1978, there are 369 UHF-TV and 624 ViF-TV stations. Oemands for radio services have bien particularly strong and there are now 4,526 AY stations and 3,875 FM stations, an increase of 150 (2.4%) and 1,388 (87.2%), respectively, between 1971 and 1978 There now are more than 40,000 circuit nites of overhead AC (60 H2) trans ‘nission Tinos In the United States that operate at extrarhigh voltages (EAN), 345 to 765 KV. Typical maxinun vertical electric fields at 4 feet above ground level under EHV transmission Vines range fron § to 9 kiTivolts per meter (KV/a) The corresponding magnetic fields at ground Tevel do. nat depend on the ‘transmission Tine voltage but on the Tine current, spacing between phases, and height of Vines above ground. At midspan under 9 typical 76% KY transmisston Vine, the ground-level 60 Hz magnetic Field is about 0.3 Gauss for a current of 2000 anperes in each phase. Increased millage of EHV Vines and the introduction ‘of transmission Ines that operate at even higher voltages, i.e., 1100 k¥, are being ptanned, Environmental power donsities of RFR in broadcast and communications bands (0.5-890 M82) have been neasured by EPA at various locations in 12 large U.S. cities. The surveys are being conducted to characterize levels in various typical environments. Approximately 70% of the sites had an averaged power density betow 0.1 yi/en®, and approximately 95% wore below 1 yen, The surveys indicate that higher levels can occur in specific locations such as Upper floors of tall buildings, close to radio braadcast antennas or in inmediate vicinity of mobile units. For example, levels up to 200 yW/er? havebeen measured at sone Tocations in tall buildings. Levels of RF radiation near ‘ndusteiaT sources (10-40 MHz) have been measured by NIOSH. During operation of equipment, electric and magnetic field strengths were found which exceed the fmerican National Standards Institute (ANSL) guidelines | discussion of present guidelines anc standards for human exposure is provided by Cleary (1), He states that in consideration of the somevhat. Givergent findings of Mester and Eastern European scientists regarding biological effects of microvave and AF radiation, and the hazards these represent, it is not surprising that standards for Tinting husan exposures in ‘these countries differ. Occupational RFR exposure standards or guidelines in ‘the U.S. and other Western countries for the past 20 years have been based on protecting people from haraful effects due to heating. Standards tn the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia are based primarily on the reports of Induction of reversible functional central nervous system reactions. Table 1 summarizes the occupational exposure guidelines and standards currently in use fn several countries and by various organizations within the U.S. for exposure to continuous wave fields, These standards differ markedly, as evidenced by the rnaxinun RFR intensity of 10 al/en? in effect in the U.S. as compared to 10 yW/en? ‘or the sane exposure duration in the USSR ~ a Tevel that is 1000 tines lover ‘than that in the U.S. Several activities are now going on in the U.S. to either re-evaluate the present accepted exposure guidelines or t> evaluate the need for setting guidance or standards for the general population. The C95-4 Committee of the Awerican National Standards Institute (AUNS:), which fs concerned with recom ending safety levels of RFR, fs in the process of reviewing the existing ANSI standard, ANSI rules require that its standards be reviewed every 5 years to decide iF they should be revised or reaffirmed. A detatTed study and evaluation of the available Viterature is scheduled for completion by December 1979.Table 1 RADIO-FREQUENCY STANDAROS FOR OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CONTINUOUS MAVE FTELOS (WORKING ORY) Radiation Frequency country = __ (in) us. ast 0.01-100 GHz osha? 0.01100 6Hz acciH® 0,1 ~100 GHz Great Britasn 0.3 = 20 oie canada 0.1 ~ 100 ae sweden 03+ 30K Potend 0.03300 oie Czschostovakia 0.3 -0 Giz user 0.3 -300 ake american National Standards Institute RFR Intensity (oe wo 0 10 0 0 (1 proposed) 1 02 0.025 0.01 Poccupational Safety and Health Adninistration Shnerican Congress of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Note: Sone countries have more permissive intensities for shorter exposure tines, and nore restrictive intensities for expeture of ‘the general population.9 ‘The Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of determining Whether there is a need to issue guidance for contro} ing exposure of the ‘General population to environmental radio-frequency radiation. A meeting of a1? interested Federal organizations was held on January 25, 1978 to discuss ‘questions relevant to this consideration, and aulditional written information has been requested from these agencies The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) nas initiated an effort to develop a recomended occupational exposure standard far RFR. On Decenber 23, 1976, NIOSH announced in the Federal Register a request for information to aid in developing a criteria document containing ‘reconmended occupational health standard far RFR radiation, On October 28, 1977, NIOSH further announced in the Federal Register its decision to develop a ‘recommended occupational health standard for RFR radiation, In. that lannouncenent, NIOSH asked that any person having infarmaton or data considered relevant to the estabt isin uf « sare and healthful occupational envtronsent submit such information along with acconpanying docunentat fon. ‘another major factor in the present situation fs the enhanced awareness and concern ef the public about the potential for exposure to radio-frequency radiation and high voltage transaission Tin» Fields. Recent magazine articles, books, television prograns, the Seafarer program, and reports associated with the microwave signals at the U.S. Enbassy in Hoscow ha aN] alamed the public. Public concern and the need for additional, reliable information for evaluating effects and developing appropriate guidelines of exposure make the solution to his problem nore urgent. The possibiNi:y of unjustifiable yet serious restrictions on necessary and beneficial uses of RFR and high voltage lines exists as long as definitive information on which to base rational decisions ts not avai lable.a PRESENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE It fs difficult to sumarize the state of knowledge in any sinple manner Decause of the nunber of physical variables and the number of biological end oints involved. Each biological end point could be discussed in terms of the combinations of frequency, intensity level, duration, and wavefora. Other complications include species variability, whole body or partial-body exposure, near field or far field exposure, polarization of the incident wave, single or multiple frequency, single or sultiple path, and orientation of @ specinen Within a given field. To consider all these variable for each possible botogical end point would be possible not only because of the conplexity of ‘the matrix but also because available information is very liaited for most of ‘the possible combinations. Information is presented in terms of biological end points and important general considerations which apply to all areas of biological effects research The following sections include information provided by the participants of ‘the Working Group, review articles and books (1-8), OTP reports (9), and relies heavity on information and material developes by OTP/ERIAC. Laboratory studies {in recent years of a relatively wide spectrin of biological end points have Provided additional evidence for sone previously reported effects of RER--for example, auditory response, permeability changes in blood-brain barrier én ‘rodents, calciun efflux from avian brain cells, and teratology in insect pupae (1,3,4,10°13). Biological eftects of HVTL fields have not been studied as extensively but recent concerns have generated nore activity in this area. It is not feasible or intended to review al) past or current research in this report. Highlights of sone of the more recent research are summarized to characterize current knowledge and as background for the research being ‘recommended, The order of discussion of particular topics does not indicate ‘nportance but rather a progression from hunan to aninal to general information.a RADIO-FREQUENCY RADIATION Epideniology Several epideniological studies have been undertaken in the U.S. during the past five years. These have been retrospective, largely studies of persons known or suspected to have been exposed in the past, who are compared to a Imatched but presumably unexposed contre! group. In most cases the actual intensity and duration of the exposure is not well known because the RF enviroment was not characterized at the tines the exposure took place, For example, 2 large study of Navy veterans of the Korean War is nearing completion. The records of naval technical schoo! graduates were used to construct the study population of 20,000 men who were potentially exposed to radar equipment repair) and 20,000 controls who served as equipaent operators. Follow-up inforsation vas obtained for causes of dath, iTInesses in Navy and VA hospitals, and clains for service-connected disabi ity during all or part of the 25-year period since military service. Initial aortality analysis showed no significant differences in causes of death between all radar vepairmen and operators. A measure of presumptive occupational exposure, an index based on person-months in assignments and microwave 2ower output of the equipment used, has been developed and calculated for a sanple of the men. This has been used in ‘the Final analyses. The study will provide, in addition to mortality, hospital norbidity (record of sickness) and disabiTity data, a potential population for further investigation. In a study of Down's syndrane in an urban population, it was noted that an apparent excess of fathers of affected children gave a history of work with ‘radar in the armed services. Further investigation failed to confirm the initial suggestive association of paternal radar exposure with Down's syndrane {in progeny,2 ‘The incidence of congenital anomalies in children of helicopter student pilots was evaluated by examining birth records to investigate possible assoctation with paternal radar exposure. It was concluded that there was no significant excess in congenital anomalies attributable to microwave exposure. 1s study is nearing completion on U.S. Embassy personnel in Moscow, some of han were potentially exposed intermittently to microwaves in the frequency ange of 0.6 ~ 9.5 Giz present in sone locstions of the building, and on personnel in other American enbassies where these signals were not present. Levels measured at various Tocations where the signals were present ranged from fractions of a microwatt per square centinetor to 18 W/cm? for a very brief period in a highly localized avea. Most typically, maximum levels encountered were on the order of 1 to 2 uW/em®, The study populations include al? Foreign Service employees and their family menbers assigned to the enbassies for stipulated periods of time during the 23-year span, 1953-1976, Morbidity and ‘The bulk of the published human data on RFR effects is from Eastern European sources. The interpretation of fincings is difficult due to different Inethods of reporting and to different pathophysiological orientations in the West and Eastern Europe. Eastern European pathophysiology, with a Pavlovian tradition, is strongly function oriented. As a result of these philosophical Aifferences, the interpretation of epidemiological data can differ widely between East and West. n evaluating the general status of hunay studies, we find that while there are numerous reports of deleterious effec:s of occupational exposure to microwave and other RF radiation from USSR and other Eastern European countries, Wwe have not undertaken sufficient epidemiological studies in this country. The ‘epideniological studies that have been perforsed in this country have generally23 ‘included limited numbers of clinical or physiological end points. In other instances the exposure history of the sample was efther difficult or impossible to evaluate in that there is uncertainty as to exposure levels and duration or ‘even whether individuals classified as "expesed" were, in fact, exposed to RFR, It should also be noted that studies of mortality oF morbidity of individuals potentially exposed to RFR add 1ittle to our anderstanding of possible transient ‘or functional effects. Ability to investigate effects of various frequencies and exposure conditions 1s Tiaited by the existance of adequate populations for such studies, The selection of biological end points and RFR conditions requires careful consideration of design of these studies Research on ocular effects of RFR has included studies of the relationship of power density and exposure tine for eperinental production of lens opacities, and anatomical and Aistalogical studies of damage produced in the Tens by exposure to RFR, Studies of morphslogical changes in the eye that. precede cataract formation, and biochemical stusies of Jens tissue after ‘exposure to microwave radiation have also been performed. Lens opacities have produced in anesthetized experimental animals by single or repeated exposures. to RER field intensities on the order of 100 ai/en® or greater. Cataract induction has not been observed in experiments at lover levels. Additional studies of late lenticular effects that might result from either acute or chronic repeated exposures at Tover radiation levels need to be conducted, Epidemfological surveys of lenticular changes in workers exposed to RFR have shown statisticatly, but not medically significant results. For example, fn surveys of workers in Eastern Europe an increased incidence of smal lenticular defects has been reported. These defects, which are not classified2 as cataracts and do not appear to inpair vision, occur naturally {n the general Population in an age-dependent fashion, There have been reports of cataract ‘induction in humans fron unspecified, or unknown RFR fields and exposure conditions. While it 1s well Known that sufficient heat ing can cause cataract formation, the assumption that cataract production by RFR is due entirely to heating of eye tissues has been Brought into question, A study in which the posterior surtace of the Tene was heated to similar tenpe tures and at similar rates both by RFR and by conducted heat reported cataracts fron the RFR exposure but not from the conductive heat ing Effects on Neural Systens uch of the controversy regarding biological effects of “low-intensity” FER has been generated by reports fram the USSR and other Eastern European countries that exposures of hunans and annals to RFR pover densities well below 10 nh/en® can induce functional alterations in the central nervous system (CRS) and behavioral changes attributed to (NS effects. Investigations of behavioral effects as well as effects on various elenents of the nervous system have been @ priority area in vecent U.S. research, Migtlights of sone recent research reporting effects which are of current. interest. include the following Experiments have shown that short pulses of microwave radiation having high eak-power densities can produce the phenaenon of "wicrowave hearing, characterized by auditory perception by hurans and aninals of individual ‘microsecond pulses with peak power densities on the order of 100 ai/en?. If such pulses were repeated at one second intervals, for example, the Line averaged power density would be on the order of 1 yW/en®, a value that would not cause a detectable temperature rise in liviag systens. The major portion of ata indicate that the microwave auditory effect is induced through conventional auditory patinays.ro The effects of pulse-modulated RFR on che permeability of the blood-brain barrier have been investigated in laboratory experiments. Normal function of the barrier is essential since it controls the interchange of nutrients and wastes between the brain and the blood supply while preventing entry of harmful substances into the brain tissue. The barrier Is a complex systen involving the cell membranes, tight junctions, end other constituents and is not completely Understood. Several investigators, in independent studies, have detected an apparent increased porweabi lity of the"blood-brain barrier in small aninals in ‘response to pulse-modulated RF fields with cine-averaged power densities beTow 10 ni/en? (11,12). The blood brain barrier research and auaitory effect suggest. ‘that at Teast in some bfoTogical systems, peak power, pulse rate and pulse width may be more important in producing the effect than average power density. In sone studies effects on behavioral and neuraptysiologicel end points have 0 Found to correlate with rates of low-frequency, sinusoidal nodulation in the range of naturally accurring brain-wave frequencies. In one study, cats Were trained to produce selected EEG patterns in cortical and subcortical regions in response to a Tight-Tlash signal. After learning and extinction curves had been determined, the controls performed at previously established levels during overtraining, and extinction sccurred very rapidly. In contrast animals irradiated with 147 Mr fYelds amplitude modulated at 3 to 16 Hz achieved performance levels equal to or higher than controls. Power densities of exposure were Tess than 1 a/en®. Extisction of the response was greatly delayed at an exposure power density of 0.8 a/en®, In another series of experiments, anplitude modulation at a fregsency equal to the predominant. EEG ‘frequency, appeared to increase the rate of occurrence of that frequency, while modulation at a different frequency resulted in increased occurrence of other patterns. Since the £E¢ changes wore anatomically localized, frequency6 specific, and associated with transient patterns, it appears unlikely that the effects are attributable to direct injection of field currents via the electrodes although this possibility has been raised. The results were interpreted in terms of the modulated fields acting as contingent reinforcers, rediated by nenbrane sensitivities to low intersity RFR fields ‘The effects of low frequency modulated fields on ionic mechanisns in the brain have also been investigated. Excitation of avian nerve cells in vitro is accompanied by invard movenent of sodium ions and outward moverent of potassium fons through the nerve cell menbrane. This movement involves contro? by cate‘ ‘ons on the membrane's surface. In their interactions with menbrane surface proteins, calcium fons function as 2 gating néchanisn for the Flow of sodium and potassium ions through the menbrane. Independent studies in two U.S. laborateries, have shown that the binding and release of ealefum fone by avian brain tissue can be influenced by RFR elds. Modutattons tran 6 to 20 He of at incident 147 Wir Field at power densities near 1.0 aW/en® were reported to increase calcium efflux from the chick's forebrain by 10 to 15%. Maximum atflux was observed at 16 He Intensity “power windows" for this effect at 147 Wiz and 430 Mz, with an upper intensity threshold of approxinately 2.0 aon and a Tower threshold in the Vicinity of 0.1 ai/en® have been reported. Analogous frequency and anplitude Windows which decreased calcium efflux have been described for ELF electric Tields between 6 and 16 liz, but at much snal'er electric Field gradients within Frequency and anplitude sensitivities such as were observed in these studies suggest a physical mechanisn invelving “cooperative” processes, Cooperative processes involve long-range etonic interactions and may be initiated by very weak trigger events. In this example, and in sensorya transductive processes, the location and energy levels of fixed charges on the surface of menbrane proteins aay be the site of weak RF field transduction, The "cooperative" and other related hypotheses requive further evaluation. Schavioral Effects of RFR Reports in the Soviet literature of effects in laboratory animals and ceccupationally exposed humans to RF Fields at microm and miTliwatt/en® levels have stimulated investigations of behavioral effects, Numerous studies have been performed on various species involving a number of different behavioral end otnts, which have produced what eppear to be conflicting results. In sone ‘instances no behavioral changes have been reported at exposure intensities that approached lethal levels, whereas in other experiments effects have been detected at intensities of 10 sk/en® and less. Some of the behavioral end Points which have been studied included acquisition and discrimination, spontaneous activity, performance of operant conditioned tasks, the ability to Judge the passage of Line, and the perception of RFR radiation, To {1lustrate, honkeys which were exposed to high intensity levels (5-25 watts integral dose to the head) of 2.45 Giz CM radiation showed no effects on repeated acquisition or ‘iscrimination tasks at integral dose rates less than 15 W. Rats which were irradiated at frequencies between 2.45 and 10.7 GH in the power density range of 0.5 to 26 aW/en® showed no changes in spontaneous activity (locomotor behavior). However, it has been reported that tine performance in rats, operant conditioned to respond to multiple schedules 2F reinforcenent, were altered when exposed for 30 minutes to either 2.86 or 9.6 Gis RFR with pulse repetition rates of S00 Hz at § aW/en® average power. It has also been reported that the ability ‘of monkeys to Judge the passage of tine vas altered when exposed to low intensity (order of 100 volts/meter) extra low frequency (ELF) electric fields. Rats exposed to 1.2 Giz pulsed RFR at average power densities as low as 0.2a riv/en? (2.1 ahi/ca? peak power density) spent a much greater portion of their tine in the shielded side of a two-compartment shuttle box, The rats appeared to perceive the RFR fields in some manner and to prefer the unexposed compartment. This was not the case in CW (2.4 wW/en*) or sham exposure. These results may indicate differences in the sensitivity of various behavioval end points or brain regions, or may be due to nonuniform RFR absorption. It 4s not possible to draw definite conclusions at this tine Endocrinological Effects In experimental studies with RFR exposure at power densities on the order of 10 whi/en? and greater, endocrinological al:erations characterized by changes fn hormone levels and increased adrenal weights have bean observed. — Although RFR specific endocrinological responses has not been identified, results tom ate are suggestive of possible RFR intensity dependent. alare-reaction~ ‘exnaustion reactions, a characteristics strets response sequence. In view of the reported sensitivity of the mammalian CHS to RFR, it could be logically expected that RFR-induced alterations of the CKS could be manifested by changes fn endocrine function tectuse of the interactions between these systens. The endocrinological responses reported with te limited exposure conditions Investigated to date include elevated levels of corticosterone and depressed ‘thyrotropin (TSH) and growth hormone (GH) levels -- changes that are suggestive of hypothalamic-pituitary activation. ‘he Finding that the adrenal response to RF exposure, a6 reflected in increased corticosterone levels, is effectively blosked by suppressing pituitary function, either by surgical renoval of the pituitary (typophysectomy) or by chemical blocking agents indicates that the adrenal gland 1s not primarily stimulated by RFR exposure, but secondarily stimulated by ACTH that is secreted from the pituitary gland. This iaplies that #FR effects in the endoerinologicalsystem my be mediated by neural mechanisns. The role of the hypothalamus in ‘the control of mammalian thermoregulation suggests the involvement of RFR: ‘induced thermal stress in the reported endocrinological alterations. Studies of the response of mannalian systens to heat have shown that moderate or gradual heating in generat, elicits suppression as contrasted to activation of the fendocrinotogical system with rapid body heating. Thus it could be postulated that RFR-induced thermal stress may result in endocrinological responses that. differ qualitatively from those produced by conventional heating, and also that differences in response may be encountered at different RFR intensities due to variations in heating rates or to thermal gradients in tissue fram nonuniform ‘energy absorption Inmunological effects Studies of inmunoiogical effects have indicated that the mamalian reticuloendothe)ial and Iymphocytic systems which are responsible for the imuunological defense of the organism can be altered by exposures to RFR, Research in this area is at a relatively eirly stage and involves @ Himited hunber of studies with both in vive and fn vitra exposures, Experiments have been conducted with various aninals and RFR exposure conditions, i.e., pulsed and CW waveforms, various frequencies (HF, 425 Mlz, 2450 Miz, 9 GHz) and power densities in the range of 3-45 ab/en? for the nigher frequencies and 1 to 2 watts/em® for HF. Ettects reported to-date include depression of phagocytic activity of Imacrophages and granulocytes, impaired release of granulocytes, increased antibody titers and increased number of pleque forming cells among splenic lymphoid cers, transient alterations (increases and decreases) in circulating Teukocytes, and changes in the maturation and function of iymphocytes, Lymphocytes of peripheral blood also underge @ change in morphology and appear‘as blast transformed cells that are capable of reneved cell division Lysphoblastofd transformations have been observed both in vitre and in vivo, ‘exposures. In vitro these effects have been observed in conditions where there was heating of the cultures. In one experiment at 50 MHz with very high field strength where temperature of the culture vas controtled, no effects were observed. In vive the situation is nore complicated and whether effects depend fon heating oF are direct or indirect effect an the lymphocytes 15 not known. At Present, there is uncertainty both as to the mechanisus and the significance of such alterations for living organisns and the range of RFR exposure conditions at which they occur. jochenical and Physiological Effects Erfects of RFR on CNS, endocrine, and inmunolagical systems have been reported as evidence of stress in mannals. indications of stress response have been observed in other biechenical and physiological studies. Although the results of these studies are consistent with a non-specific stress response, the changes are not always the sane as those induced by equivalent. exposures to convent onal non-RFR thermal stressors, which may be in part due to differences {in energy distributions and heating patterns within the body. At present there is insuffictent data on physiological and biochemical responses to nonuniform heating for comparision or evaluation, Consequently the extent to which this may be responsible for observed differences is unknown. Bfachenical responses reported at RFR exposures in the range of 5 to 30 riv/en? include altered serun levels of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid as well as Tevels of serum enzymes, albunin and gama globulins, and free fatty acids. Transient alterations in blood chenistry have been reported in response to acute RF exposure, with normal levels returning within one to two weeks after exposure, Effects of chronic or repeated RFR exposure aver the Tonga term are not known at present. Alterations in neurotransnitter release in the (NS and heart of exposed experimental aninals have also been reported Mechanisms for these effects are not understand Physiological response to RFR exposure that relate to altered thermo regulation have been investigated to assess the consequences of RF-induced therm! stress. Tt has been determined that the rates of energy deposition that can be tolerated by different species are reughly proportional to their normal metabolic rates, although there are species-specific thermoregulatory rnechanisns that alter thermal tolerances, The hunidity and temperature of the environment must also be considered when deternining the energy deposition that can be tolerated. The general thermal response of namals to highly thernagenic RFR exposure consists of an initial elevation of body temperature fol loved by ‘equilibration at an elevated core tenperature for a period of tine. Exhaustion of the aninal's thernoconpensatory capacity results in a rapid increase in core temperature, which culminates in death, 4 charactarfettc manmalian racponse to excessive heating. While it 1s often assuted that exhaustion of an aninal's ‘thermoregulatory systen results from disruption of neural control mechanises in ‘the anterior hypothalanus, it should be noted that the nature of thermal death fs unknown and is a matter of considerable centroversy. Thermal regulation must ‘include brain temperature as well as body temperature to be effective. Animals which use nasal ain Flow and other compensetory mechanisms to keep the brain coo! can withstand higher elevation in generzl body temperatures than man. Genetic Effects It is knonn that the rate of induction of mutations wiT) increase with {increasing temperature. Thus, it fs logical that an agent such as RFR which can cause heating would be capable of inducing mutations at sufficiently high power density Tevels, Several studies have been conducted to investigate the RFRR conditions under which such effects should occur. Experinents have been carried ‘out at varfous frequencies (e.g. 50 Hz to 20 GHz) and power densities in several aninal and plant systens. For example, a study to investigate whether inicrovaves produced genetic effects has been carried out using several strains of bacteria, The incubation temperature of the culture medium was maintained at 0% by cooing during exposure, Results shoved that specific absorption rates of up to 400 ni/g (2.45 Giz) did not increase the mutation ratios. Male fruit ‘ies, exposed to 16,5 Giz pulsed RFR for 2 tours were nated and the offspring evaluated for sex-linked recessive mutations. No increase in the level of rmutatfons were found in the progeny. A study vas carried out with mice and rats to investigate mutagenic effects using the diminant-lethal reproductive essay The nice and rats were exposed to wicrovave radiation of 2.45 GHz CW at 3.5 to 14 i/en® and 9 Giz pulsed radiation having a duty cycle of 0,001 at 3 and 10 a/en? average paver density. No mutagenic effects were observed. Seemingly, Vines, The celT cultures were exposed to 245) Miz RFR at an estimated specific absorption rate of 15.2 aW/g. Statistically significant changes in chranesonal aberrations were observed between exposed and contral in ane cell Tine (RS) after the calls had been exposed 20 tines. Ho changes vere noted in the other cell Tine (RHI6) under Uhe sane exposure conditions. Findings with respect. to genetic effects in re eh to date have been largely negative, Genetic effects hich have been reported have been at high intensities where significant heating ‘is implicated or could not be ruled out. In spite of these negative Findings, additional studies are warranted because of the potential significance of such effects, should they occur, and the known thermal induction of mutagenesis. Careful experimental design and investigation of dose-response relationships and thresholds are needed.3 yolopmental Effects The effects of RFR on developnent have been studied in insects, fish and bird embryos as well as in manmalian enbryos and fetuses. Exposure of insect Pupae to microwaves (9 Giz) at 8.6 to 12 aden? for one to two hours produced evelopnental ananolies In the mature organisns. Chick enbryos exposed to 2480 iz microwaves at 20-40 ai/en® for 280 to 300 minutes produced delayed velopment and inhibition of cell different-ation of the brain, eye, wing buds, and heart. Quail exbryos exposed during {reubation to 30 aW/en® during the First five days of developnent and to S wi/cr? for the First 12 days of develop ment shoved only minor hesatological defects. An environmentally controllable chamber was used to maintain normal incubation temperature of 37.5% durtng the fexperinents. Later the nature quail, exposed only during enbryogenesis, showed reduced fertility and changes in size of the Bursa of Fabricius, an organ contributing to the inmunological responses in avian species. Since sinilar feffects as those reported above can be produced by hyperthermia, it is not now known whether they are produced by divect fnteraction with the RF fields, by RF heating, oF by a combination of the tye Studies with rodents have nad variable results. ice exposed to 2.45 GHz ‘for 10 minutes (38 ml/g) on day 11 through v4 of gestation showed no effects, where mice exposed to 120 ah/ca® for 2 to 4 minutes on day eight showed several developmental abnormalities. Another study where pregnant mice vere exposed ‘hroughout gestation to 2650 MHz RFR at pover densities ranging trom approximately 5 to 1S nli/en® showed increased incidence of craniopathies and changes in number of aniaals per litter, :t has also been reported that the offspring of pregnant rats exposed throughost gestation to 918 Miz CW RFR at a over density of 5 mli/en® showed no effects on development, but when tested as adults, demonstrated a significant behavioral deficit during acquisition of aconditioned avoidance response. Because of te varied results of developmental studies, additional research is needed to establish thresholds and dose response relationships. Cellular Effects of RFR The complexity of mammalian systens and the complex ways in which RFR can ‘interact with such systems has been a najor inpedinent in the daternination of causeveffect relationships. It is gifficult, for exanple, to establish whether an alteration in a given biological end point, such as a biochemical alteration ‘in the serum of an exposed aninal, (s a direct effect on the end point itself or an indivect effect mediated by altered neural or endocrine functions. Nor is 1t possible, at present, to determine adequately the role of nonuniform temperatures (gradients) or heating rates in alterations observed in in vive ‘experimentation. Consequently, mode! systers which avoid such complex and complicating factors offer advantages for research to investigate mechaniens of RFR interaction, Isolated mamalian ceTls in culture provide such a model Experiments on the effects of RFR on cell sjstens have been conducted. For ‘example, effects on chronosones have been investigated in cell cultures Chromosomal” aberrations have been observed at exposure conditions which ‘eplicate significant heating as the causa) mechanism, The rate of production of aberrations as a result of exposure to iortzing radiation has been shown to be enhanced by microwave heating of Kirradizted cells, an effect attributed to ‘thermal disruption of ONA repair mechanisms. Alterations in the rate and rhytm of cell division, differentiation and maturstion have been reported in the literature. Changes in cell morphology both in exposed cell cultures and in els removed from exposed aninals have also been observed. Specific alterations in mitochondrial function, as reflected in cellular enzyme levels, Which differed in the case of CW as conpared to pulse-modulated radiation havebeen reported. The effect was observed at 3.5 and 25 ah/en® average power density with 3 Giz pulse-modulated and omly at 25 av/en® for CW radiation. Nitochondria effects were not detected when isolated mitochondrial preparations were maintained at 4°C during exposure to 2.45 GHe CM (10 and 50 mi/en®) for 3.5 hours, Sone effects on cells may be due to changes in the state of the cell menbrane since this has been postulated as being one possible effect of RFR Hechanisns of Interaction Hechanisns of interaction of RFR with biological systens are not well Understood. The observation of effects which appear to depend on specific ‘requencies and amplitudes or "windows" suggests that biological responses may not always be due to a simple rise in the senperature of the affected area other interactions occur on the molecular, membrane, cel] or organ level has been a subject of limited investigation, but considerable speculation Current information on microscopie~ or molecutar-Tevel interactions with RFR does not permit. the development of adequate theoretical nodes, but the results of recent research suggest interactions at the menbrane level. This research includes: meacurenents of altered janie mobilities in isolated chick cerebral neurons at 2 power density of the order of 1 ai/cn®; an enhanced potassiun efflux in manmalian erythrocytes exposed in culture to 1 ai/em®; and a ‘change in perneabiTity of the blood-brain berrier, a complex bfonenbrane, The basic mechanisms of these changes are not known. Whether they are due to "micro-scale" thermal gradients, direct interaction with the RF rields or other phenomena need to be determined Nicrovave exposure with 960 MHz Ch of ‘solated turtle and rat hearts has been reported to show the heart beat (bradycardia) at lower levels (2-10 ai/en?) land to accelerate heart beat (tachycardia) at higher Tevels (16-40 M/g). This 4s Inconsistent with known effects of comentional neating which would beexpected to increase heart rate, It has also been reported that microwaves affect isolated nerve cells of the abdoninal ganglion of the Aplysia, a marine animal. In sone cases, the changes in firing rate of the cells were in the ‘opposite direction to those produced by conventional heating. An understanding fof the basic mechanisns producing these effects could possibly help provide an explanation for the reported effects on the nervous systor. Ecological Effects If the utilization of Yarge systens such as the Extremely Low Frequency Conmunications System and the Satellite Pour Systen is realized, continuous exposure of large entire ecosystens will exist. In view of the tremendous complexities inherent in biotic systens, assessment of Targe ecosystems wi?) pose a most difficult and time-consuming challenge, As a system becomes nore complex, there 1s an increased 1ikelihood that data based on its elements as studied in isolation cannot be generalized to a systen as a whole. However, studies on specific species, particularly airborne species, have indicated sone ‘effects that may be important. Migrating birds were found to avoid a test area with weak ELF fields in the course of their flights, In another experiment, hungry parakeets avoid a sector of a pulsed 3.3 GH2 beam vhere food was Tocated (40 mv/en® average - 4 W/en® peak pover). In one study it was reported that domestic checken produced eggs with more fragile shells but with no changes in fertiTity o hatchabélity vhen exposed to 2635 M2 RFR at a power density of 1 r/cn®. Bean Yeaves and leaves of water hyacinth were observed to have 2 renarkably strong thermoregulating capability, even in darkness, to thermal stress from intense microwave exposure (up to 200 mi/en®). As we examine a ‘greater variety of Tiving forms, we may find some which are more sensitive than others to RFR.7 Physical Methodology/Instrumentation ‘The detersination of temperature dfstritution within biological systens ‘during RFR exposure 1s necessary to estinate the magnitude of Toca! temperature rises or “hot spots" in specific organs and to obtain reference temperature values at the site of interest that can be usec to quantify the post~irradiation enperature distributions that are obtained, for exanple, by thermography. However, invasive measurenents of tissue temperature present problens. The perturbation of electromagnetic field distributions within tissues by conductive leads and other metallic conponents of conventional sensors such as thermistors or thermocouples can alter the specific absorption rate (SAR) in adjacent tissues, resulting in significantly higher values than in the absence fof the probes. Recent advances in the developnent of implantable probes have overcome many of these problems. Some of the techniques used to avail artifacts fare based elther upon the use of probes that do not pertur (or negligibly perturb) the internal field distribution or won the insertion of conventional temperature sensors after cessation of {rradlation. When conventional temperature sensors are used, tissue tomeratures are determined by extrapotation of tine-tenpersture cooling curves taken immediately after exposure Several types of temperature probes have been developed that cause minimum perturbations of internal field distributions. One type, which is mounted at fone end of a pair of optical fibers, utilizes a nonperturbing Viguid-crystal or birefringent crystal sensor. The Nght from a Tight-emitting diode is ‘transit tted from the sensor through the other Fiber to a Light detector, Since the sensor is fabricated from materials thit are essentially electrically transparent, only slight perturbations of the electromagnetic field occur during RF irradtation. Another form of nonperturbing tenperature probe utilizes8 4 themmistor attached to carbon-iupregnated plastic leads having very high electrical resistivity which minimizes enercy leakage or perturbations of the electromagnetic Field. A wintature electric Field probe using an orthogonal array of 2.5 mn dipote antennas with integral diode detector and high resistance Teads has been developed by BAH and has been used to make direct, realtine Imeasurenent of fields in biological specimens and models. By using suitable design criteria, the accuracy of present probes can be made nininally dependent. won the surrounding dielectric properties and boundaries at microwave frequencies. An advantage of this probe over thernal-dosinetric techniques i= ‘ts high sensitivity and rapid response, so that animal exposures to levels Tess ‘than 10 n/en? can be studied in terms of internal energy deposition and continuous scans of fields in models can 36 performed. In addition, the internal electric field, directly measured by this type of probe, is a paraneter Which should be quantified, {n addition to incernal temperature, trom biologicaT effects studies. AN iuproved probe with @ 1.5 am afpole and more suftabie diodes has been produced. Tt should veduce arobe-cal bration media dependence at frequencies below 1000 Mz and fs more nar-interacting with the biological system due to its decreased size Other instruments have been developed for measuring incident electro- Inagnet ic Tetds by both government and private industry, Portable survay meters constitute a class of instrunents designed prinarily for the measurenent. of ambient RF Tield strengths to determine whether power densities are within personnel exposure guidelines. A tri-axia’ isotropic hazard meter with frequency range of 300 Wiz to 3 GHe has been developed jointly by the Natfonal Bureau of Standards (NS) and BRM. NIOSH ant NES have developed electric and Inagnetic field probes to measure fields in the frequency ranges of 10 Mz to S00 Wiz and 10 MHz to 40 Tie respectively. Further developnent have Ted to devices2” Which cover the frequency range fram 60 KHz to 3 GHz. Presently a frequency selective probe is being developed that will have a frequency range of 10 MHz to 1 Giz. Magnetic field probes have also beer developed for use over the ‘Trequency range of 150 Kis to 70 Wiz, BR has developed a miniature probe with Increased spatial resolution and frequency range (20 Miz ~ 20 GHz). This latter device uses a fiber optically Vinked telenetry systen to reduce cable scatter artifacts and radio-frequency interference which occurs In convent onal electronic readout instruments with a hard-wired Vinkage Absorption Rates In nany experimental investigations of the biological effects of RFR, various animal species are irradiated as surrogates for nan under the assumption that the data can be used to assess potential hazards to hunans by inter-species ‘extrapolations. Quantitative knowledge of the electronagnet ic field paraneters such as the power density of the incident Field, frequency, and modulation is insufficient, of itself, to determine rates of energy absorption or specific absorption rate (SAR) within the organ or tissue of interest in a given species. This is because interactions of any incident field with an experinental aniaal fare dependent upon the dielectric and thermal properties of tissues and organs and their internal spatial distribution as well as the size, shape, or body configuratfon, and orientation of the body with respect to the RFR field In order to overcone the problens of interspecies extrapolation, theore= ‘tical and experinental studies have been urdertaken on models of various mammalian species. Homogeneous spheroidal ani lTipsoidal models having masses and principal axes which sinulate various species have been studied under plane wave irradiation to determine the dependence of the averaged rate of energy absorption on frequency and orientation relative to the polarization of the RFR field. This work has led to the determination of whole-body resonant40 frequencies of maximum SAR for each species that hae been wodeled. The Proximity of a ground plane or other reflecting surfaces, including other biological objects, alters the resonant frequencies and can greatly augment. average SAR valves. NunoricaT techniques have racently been developed by several investigators which enable conplex, irregularly shaped objects to be ‘analyzed in terms of internal energy distribution, Using large computers these ‘techniques should allow accurate analyses of realistic exposure/eneray deposition situat ons Knowledge of the frequency dependence of the average SAR for spheroidal and eTipsoidal models is useful for two types of scaling. First, if an effect of RFR is investigated in an aninal species at a convenient. frequency (e.g. because of equipment avaiTability) and the effact is adequately quantified in ‘terms of incident field intensities, then estimates of intensities required to Produce the sane average SAR values in another spectes at the sane frequency can be calculated frum Ue results obtained tron the models of the two species, A ‘tacit assumption underlying this type of scaling (and, in fact, the average SAR concept itself) is that the macroscopic dielectric and thermal properties of tissues at a given frequency are fairly similar for the various species of interest. A second type of scaling is possible when the objective of an ‘investigation {s the assessuent of possible bioeffects on man for RFR having predetermined frequencies (usually different. fron human resonances), by {investigations using experimental anieals, In such cases, estimates of power densities for hunan exposure can be made by interspecies scaling of the average SAR values across frequencies. Data on the frequency dependency of the average SAR over a wide range of frequencies for spheroidal and el1ipsoidal models of man and other species are available in the literature, Work is now in progress to refine the models and to extend the frequency range,a Approximate internal field distributions for various species are being determined experimentally, primarily by the use of scanning infrared thermography. The technique involves the construction of a physical model of the species under stufy from synthetic materiats that sinulate the dielectric properties of tissue, The model is then sectioned along appropriate parting planes, and the spatial temperature distribut-ons over such planes are measured mediately after the assenbled node! is irradiated. Results on models of relatively simple geonetry, such as the configurations representative of the Uneoretical models discussed above, tend to confirm the calculated values Thernographic techniques are also being used on model figurines of animal and hhunan shapes and on animal carcasses that have been sectioned through varfous regions or organs of interest. It must be stressed that such measurenents of ‘temperature distributions do not correspond 20 internal in vivo temperature ‘distrfbutions; rather they represent distribu:tons of the RF field. The reason the measured values of temperature in the models do not correspond to internal in wivo temperature distributions 1s because thermoregulatory mechanisms, particularly blood flow (henodyn jes), carry haat away from tissues in the in vivo situation Henodynanic models are needed to predict temperatures. of specific Ussues, The numerical models, which divide the body into many compartaents, can probably incorporate this hemodynamic property as they continue to develop. HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE FTELOS uch Tess research has been carried out on the biological effects of high voltage transmission line (HVTL) fields than on AFR fields. PhilTips (2) has summarized the reported results of past research in the United States. The electric and magnetic fields induce currents within a biological systen. The total current induced by the electric field between ground and a man standing inwe electrical contact with ground, known as the short-circuit current, is about 16+ 20 uA/ev/m. Magnetic fields produce circulating electric currents in the body With the current density reaching its macinun value near the surtace of the body. Based on estinates fron calculations on models, the current density from ‘the magnetic field at the hips of an erect aan under 9 765-KY transmission Vine (E = 9 k¥/m, 8 = 0,3 Gauss) would be about 19% of the current density Induced by the electric feta Sone research has been conducted on the induction of currents in humans and animals by 60-He electric Fields. Induced currents from transmission Vines are ‘90 low to represent a serious shock hazard, At least 5 mA are required to produce a shock which is disabling and 60 mt or more is needed to cause fibrf]~ Tatton of the heart fn adult humans, Secondary shocks, or spark discharge shacks, which result trom touching objects at different potentials, have been studied by a number of investigators. ‘Although such shocks are not life threatening to healthy individuals and do not appear to protuce permanent harm, they may produce a general stress response: with repeated experience which could account for sone of the biological effects. of electric field exposures reported in the literature, In subjects with cardiovascular problens, these unexpected, inadvertant. shocks could. have serious consequences. Public education concerning these secondary shocks near HTL and a consideration of potential medical crises should be included as part. ‘of the solution to the problens associated with high voltage Tines. Exposure to high-strength 60-Hz electric fYelds can produce nerve stinu- ation, due to piloerection and hair oscitlation, and a tingling at the body surfaces next to clothing. These sensatiors becone annoying to a smal per centage of people at Field strengths as Tow as 8-10 ki/m. It has been suggested by several scientists that sone of the reported biological effects of 60-He2 ‘electric elds, particularly in pelted aninals, may be responses to this hair stimulation effect. In 1962 studies were initiated by the Anerican Electric Power Conpary on satety practices, field intensities, body currents and working envirenents related to high voltage transmission ines. In one of these studies medical ‘examinations were conducted over a S-year per‘od on 11 Vinemen working on 138+ land 345-KV transmission lines. Four of the men worked regularly on live Vines while wearing conductive clothing and gloves, exposing their heads to 60-He electric field strengths up to 470 ki/m. The other men worked mostly with hot sticks and were exposed to maxinun fields of 70 kW/m. During the period, seven ‘extensive medical examinations were conducted st Johns Hopkins Hospital, and no significant changes were reported. Other biotogical effects which have been reported in the Niterature include ‘reduced gravth rate in exposed mice, changes in blood chenistry in exposed sive, depressed activity In chicks, reduced egg production 1n exposed hens, and preference of rats to stay on the shielded side of a two-conpartaent shuttle box. The Soviet literature reports many Bioctemical, neuroendocrine, central nervous systen, and behavioral changes at electric field strengths of 1000 V/a. ‘hore fs currently a Tack of unanimity b/ U.S. scientists as to whether or fot electric felde associated with transmission lines produce any adverse biological effects, Results from earlier studies are somewhat contlicting and contradictory. The need for additional biolagical research to clarify the situation has been recognized. This fact, in conjunction with the development of ultrarhigh-voltage (UV) transmission systans capable of transmitting power at 1100 to 1800 kV, has led to the initiation of @ number of new research projects to obtain definitive answers concerning possible health hazards of ‘these HTL fieldsRESEARCH NEEDS AND RECOHMENDATIONS In order to determine and quantitate bielogical effects of RFR, developrent of knowledge in a large nunber of areas {s required. Present information is not complete enough in any oF these areas to pretlude the need far further rest rch, The state of knowledge and corresponding deficits in that knowledge in the najor research aveas were highlighted in the previeus section It fs not practical or possible to undertake research to £411 al? the major g9ps in the near term. Based on current in‘ornation certain research areas o Problens are believed to warrant priority attention. The criteria used to select the specific areas discussed below ware (1) the potential magnitude or biotogical significance of the effect or the results of past investigations which detected a biological effect requiring clarification; (2) the technical feasibility of obtaining the information; (3) the need for Tong-tera studies due to minimal available information; and/or (4) the importance of the research to ‘the conduct and basic understanding of effec:s and of future investigations. In evaluating the state of knowlege and determining research needs, 1 was recognized that a nunber of inportant considerations are more or less universal and apply to all areas of biological researsh. This section briefly describes the research needs in each area, beginning with those that are applicable to all biotogical studies. 1. Instrumentation and Dosinetry ‘Mithough giant steps in the development of instrumentation and dosinetrc techniques have been made in recent years, this venains a critical area where Imore research is needed. Instruments are not now available which can adequately Imeasure complicated multifrequency, multipath, multimode RFR electric and magnetic fields. Won-interacting probes for measuring temperature inside45 biotogical specimens and for wonitoring of biological signals in RFR fields are rot readily available or adequate for general use. Dosimetric techniques, both ‘experimental and theoretical are inadequate for accurately determining Toca? energy deposition (*hot spots"), sealing from aninal to man, and relating ‘incident pover density to absorbed eneray. Recommendation: Further development and refinenent of ‘instrumentation and ‘echniques are needed for determining dase, relating Incident to internal ‘elds, measuring internal fields and energy distribution, and extrapolating Taboratory results trom experimental animals to man. Oevelopnent of non perturbing plantable temperature, physiologic, and field probes should be encouraged. 2. Mechaniens of Interaction Many biological effects have been reported in the literature but few ‘explanations of the nechanisn of interaction of RFR or VTL fields with the biotoyica) system have Len provided, Mary wf the effects reported appear to be related to thermal gradients and/or rates of heating that are unique to RFR energy absorption in complex biological structures. Data also exist which implicate interactions and alterations at the bionenbrane level of organization, Presently, it is alnost inpessible to hypothesize or predict either effects or hazards of RFR due to the Tack of knowledge of mechanisms other than thermal effects induced by the agitation of polar molecules. Recommendation: Theoretical and experinental research 1s needed to determine the basic mechanisns of interaction with molecules and ceT?ular components and the loci of interaction as a function of pover density, frequency and waveforn, Particular eaphasis should be placed at the nenbrane level6 3. Long-term, Low-level Expesure Studies Much of the controversy aver the U.S. ane Soviet and other Eastern European exposure guides may be attributable to different philosophies of experimentation and interpretation of results. The philosophy drives the nethodology--and Eastern and Western methodslogies (including experinental designs) often differ dramatically. Most studies in the U.S. have been based on relatively, short-term, acute exposures. On the other hand, the foreign studies fenphasize long-tern, low-level exposure whict reportedly show biologie effects at power densities not known to prosuce significant tissue heating. A data base for establishing guidelines for exposure vill not be complete without {information on Tong-term, Yow-level eftects. Recommendation: Long-term, low-level studies should be performed on aninals with exposure durations of at least a year, end preferably over the life of the aninal. These experinents should be conducted so that a¢ many physiological and poyeholugieal Lasts as wasible can be performed in tne sane experinent. Worbiaity (overall status of health) and mortal ty should be an fntegral part of ‘these long-term aninal experiments. 4. Human Studies Very 1ittte data on the effects of RFR end HVTL fields on hunans have been reported in the United States. Most of the dita in the Titerature cone fron the Soviet Unfon and the Eastern European countries. Since most of our research to assess the hazardous effects of RFR and HVTL fields involves experiments with aninals, ft 1s important to extrapolate resulting effects from animals to man This extrapolation 1s extremely difficult, not only because quantity and distribution of absorbed energy can differ in animals and man but also because of biological variability within and anong species. Therefore, epidemiological and clinical investigations of selected populations can be of considerablea Recommendation: Epidemiological and clinical investigations should be under taken in groups of workers and others exposed to RFR and HVTL fields at various intensity levels with carefully determined exposures. Careful design of these studies are required in order to obtain useful information. 5. Combination of RER or HVTL Field with otver Agents The vast najority of the data on biolocical effects of RFR and HTL fields fon mammalian Consultant, Institere for Cofonse Aralyste