Biological Effects and Dosimetry of Nonionizing Radiation

During the last 35 years, there has been considerable develop­ ment and increase in the number of devices that emit nonionizing radiant energies. These energies such as radiofrequency including microwaves are used in all sectors of our society for military, industrial. telecommunications, medical, and consumer applications. This increase in sources of nonionizing radiant energies has resulted in growing interest on the part of government regulatory agencies, industrial and military physicians, research workers, clinicians, and environmentalists. Although there is information on biologic effects and potential hazards to man from exposure to microwave/radiofrequency energies, considerable confusion and misinformation has permeated not only the public press but also some scientific and technical publications. Because of the complexity of the interactions of nonionizing radiation in biological systems, an inter-disciplinary approach is necessary to assess and elucidate the problems that evolve as this field advances and as the use of these energies expands. It is important to maintain a proper perspective and assess realistically the biomedical effects of these radiant energies so that the worker or general public will not be unduly exposed nor will research, development and beneficial utilization of these energies be hampered or restricted by an undue concern for effects which may be nonexis­ tent or minimal in comparison to other environmental hazards.

Inhalt

History of the Genesis and Development of the Study of Effects of Low Energy Electromagnetic Fields.- Sources and Applications of Radio Frequency and Microwave Energy.- Fundamentals of the Classical Theory of Electromagnetic Fields.- Fundamentals of the Interactions of Radio-Frequency and Microwave Energies with Matter.- Instrumentation of Measurement of Electromagnetic Fields: Equipment, Calibrations and Selected Applications.- Dosimetry of Radio Frequency and Microwave Radiation: Theoretical Analyses.- Molecular Interpretation of the Dielectric Behaviour of Biological Material.- Dielectric Properties of Biological Tissue and Cells at RF- and MW-Frequencies.- Biophysics of the Interaction of Electromagnetic Energy with Cells and Membranes.- Broadband MM-Wave Spectroscopy on Biological Samples.- Theory of Resonant Effects of RF and MW Energy.- Experimental RF and MW Resonant Nonthermal Effects.- Biological Effects of RF and MW Energy at Molecular and Cellular Level.- Interactions of Electromagnetic Fields with Living Cells and Molecular Systems.- Biological Effects and Health Hazards of RF and MW Energy: Fundamentals and Overall Phenomenology.- Biological Effects of Low Energy Electromagnetic Fields on the Central Nervous System.- Behavioural Effects of Radiofrequency Energy.- Neuroendocrine Response to Microwave/Radiofrequency Energies.- Radiofrequency and Microwave Effects on Immunological and Hematopoietic Systems.- Mutagenic and Developmental Effects of Microwave Radiofrequency (MW/ RF) Energies.- Cataractogenesis Induced by RF and MW Energy.- Interaction of RF and MW with the Living Systems: Research and Experience in China.- Differentiation Between Biological Effects and Health Hazards: Scaling from Animals.- Dielectric Properties of Biological Tissues and Cells at ELF-Frequencies.- Some Fundamental Aspects of Biological Effects of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF).- Power Frequency Electric Fields: Dosimetry.- Analysis of Experimental and Epidemiological Data from Exposure to Microwave/Radiofrequency (MW/RF) Energies.- Development of Standards - Assessment of Health Hazards and Other Factors.- Assessment of Health Hazard and Standard Promulgation in China.- Microwave/Radiofrequency Protection Guide and Standard.- Lecturers.- Participants.