Long-Term 2450-MHz CW Microwave Irradiation of Rabbits: Evaluation of Hematological and Immunological Effects

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Four rabbits were sham-exposed and four were exposed to 2450-MHz CW radiation for six months. Daily duration of exposure was 23 h and continued across 180 consecutive days. The rabbits were exposed at the University of Washington by Dr. Arthur W. Guy. A companion paper to this one provides details of the method used to expose the animals. The power density at the body axis of the animals was 7 mW/cm2 and at the head location, 10 mW/cm2. The measured peak specific absorption rate (SAR) in the head was 17 W/kg, and the maximum average whole body SAR as determined from calculations assuming a prolate spheroid geometry was 1.5 W/kg. Blood samples were drawn for hematologic and serum-chemistry analyses immediately after termination of exposure. Eosinophil percentage, albumin and calcium levels were significantly lower in exposed than in control rabbits. Thirty days after termination of exposure no change in hematological parameters was observed, but a significant decrease in albumin/total globulin ratio was measured in the exposed animals. The animals were euthanized thirty days after termination of exposure. No pathologic differences were detected in tissue samples. Analysis of bone marrow from the sternum showed a significant increase in the myeloid/erythroid ratio in the exposed animals. Splenic lymphocytes were stimulated by three different mitogens: phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed. Lymphocytes from exposed animals showed a significant suppression in responsiveness to pokeweed mitogen.