title: Microwave effects on the central nervous system--a study of radar mechanics.
abstract: Seventeen radar mechanics and engineers and 12 unexposed referents were examined, using extensive neurological, psychometric and neuropsychiatric techniques to determine whether there were any indications of central nervous system effects of microwave exposure. Pathological neurological findings were not more common in the exposed group than among the referents. In addition, the psychometric tests and the psychiatric rating scales did not reveal any statistically significant adverse effects of microwave exposure. The frequency of the occurrence of an increased protein band with an isoelectric point of 4.5 in the cerebrospinal fluid was higher among the men exposed to microwaves than among the referents. The nature and clinical significance of this or these proteins are still unclear. The time derivative of the magnetic flux density close to some of the transmitter units was surprisingly high (up to 350 T s-1).
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamnerius
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mild
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Hansson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hjelmqvist
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olanders
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D011825:Radar; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins