Effects of 2.45 GHz CW microwave radiation on embryofetal development in mice

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Abstract
The embryofetal toxicity and teratogenicity of plane‐wave 2.45 GHz continuous wave (CW) microwave radiation at different intensities were investigated in the CD‐1 mouse. Mice were exposed on days 1–15 of gestation to an incident power density of 5 mW/cm2 (specific absorption rate of 6.7 mW/gm) and either on days 1–6 or 6–15 of gestation to 21 mW/cm2 (specific absorption rate of 28.14 mW/gm) or to 30 mW/cm2 (specific absorption rate of 40.2 mW/gm) for 8 hours daily. Exposure either on days 1–6 or 6–15 of gestation to a power density of 21 or 30 mW/cm2 caused an increase in colonic temperature of exposed dams of 1°C and 2.3°C, respectively. To distinguish between “thermal” and “nonthermal” effects of 21 or 30 mW/cm2, groups of mice were also exposed to elevated ambient temperature to raise their body temperature to the level of those animals exposed to microwave. Ambient temperatures of 30°C and 31 °C increased the deep colonic temperature to that obtained with the 21 and 30 mW/cm2 microwave exposure, respectively. The temperature‐exposed mice were handled in exactly the same manner as the microwave‐exposed mice. A significant reduction in maternal weight gain, either during treatment on days 1–6 or 6–15 of gestation was observed in females of all handled groups. Handling plus exposure to elevated ambient temperature (30°C or 31 °C) during days 6–15 of gestation increased this reduction in maternal weight gain. A significant decrease in implantation sites per litter and reduction in fetal weight was noted in the group exposed to 30 mW/cm2 during days 1–6 of gestation. Exposure of mice to a power density of 30 mW/cm2 (days 6–15 of gestation) resulted in a slight, but significant increase in the percentage of malformed fetuses, predominantly with cleft palate, when compared to all other groups.