There were three (predominantly male) groups that were matched with respect to age, sex, and job. The
first group (1000 persons) was exposed to 2000-3000 µW/cm2, the second group (180) to 20-30
µW/cm2, and the third group (200) received no exposure. It was found that the first and second groups
differed significantly from the controls in frequency of complaints of headache, tiredness, and
irritability. Both groups exhibited various cardiovascular changes including bradycardia and
abnormalities in blood pressure and ECG. Later studies on 885 radio and electronics workers yielded
similar results (26).
In a study of 60 men exposed to 30-GHz EMFs during their working day (normally 10-170
µW/cm2, but up to 500 µW/cm2) six or seven times per month, bradycardia and a decrease in the
pumping efficiency of the heart were found (23). Similar results were reported in 34 persons, aged 30-
49 who had been exposed for 5-15 years (24). Various cardiovascular disorders were also seen in a
study of 73 men and 27 women that had been occupationally exposed to microwave EMFs (25).
Symptoms generally subsided 1-2 weeks after cessation of work around the radiation sources but in
some cases they persisted for more than 2 years. Klimkova studied 162 workers who had been exposed
to 3-30 GHz, and reported headache, fatigue, and EEG changes as a consequence of the EMF (26).
Sokolov et al. compared various blood and bone-marrow cell indices of 131 persons (115 males,
16 females)who had been occupationally exposed to high-frequency EMFs, with the corresponding
values from 800 clinically healthy persons. Decreased leukocyte counts and an increased red blood cell
formation were observed in the exposed individuals, and the results, which were progressive with
increasing exposure, were found to be reversible upon cessation of exposure (27). Hematological
disorders have also been reported in several other similar studies (29-32).
Prolonged occupational exposure leads to a stress reaction manifested by changes in corticoid
metabolism (33) and in the general endocrine system (28, 34-36).
In a study of gonadal function in workers exposed to microwave EMFs (3.6-10 GHz, 10-100
µW/cm2, for an average of 8 years) significant differences between the exposed and control workers
were found in the number, motility, and morphology of the spermatozoa. Following cessation of
exposure, most subjects showed improvement in the various gonadal indices (37).
In an evaluation of the relationship between mongolism (Down's syndrome) and parental
exposure to radiation, it was found that 8.7% of fathers of mongoloid children had contact with radar as
compared to 3.3 % of control fathers-the difference was statistically significant (3 8). A later study
failed to confirm this higher incidence of paternal radar microwave exposure in fathers of Down's cases
(39).
Sadchikova has described three progressively more serious syndromes associated with exposure
to high-frequency EMFs (collectively referred to as microwave disease) (21- 40).
1. Asthenic: seen in the initial stages of the disease and characterized by vagotonia, arterial
hypotension and bradycardia.
2. Astheno-vegetative: more pronounced than asthenic phenomena and the most often observed
form. Characterized by excitability of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, with
vascular instability and hypertension.
3. Hypothalamic: arises with increasing disease pathology. Characterized by the development of
paroxysmal states in the form of sympathoadrenal crises. Frequently leads to ischemic heart disease.
Although the conclusion is hotly contested by industry spokesmen (41, 42), the evidence clearly
indicates that exposure to high-frequency EMFs produces various abnormalities in the eye, particularly
ELECTROMAGNETISM & LIFE - 140