Absorption of microwave radiation by the anesthetized rat: electromagnetic and thermal hotspots in body and tail

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250080407· OSTI ID:5466468

D'Andrea, J A; Emmerson, R Y; DeWitt, J R; Gandhi, O P

Anatomic variability in the deposition of radiofrequency electromagnetic energy in mammals has been well documented. A recent study reported specific absorption rate (SAR) hotspots in the brain, rectum and tail of rat carcasses exposed to 360- and to 2450-MHz microwave radiation. Regions of intense energy absorption are generally thought to be of little consequence when predicting thermal effects of microwave irradiation because it is presumed that heat transfer via the circulatory system promptly redistributes localized heat to equilibrate tissue temperature within the body. Experiments on anesthetized, male Long-Evans rats (200-260 g) irradiated for 10 or 16 min with 2450, 700, or 360 MHz radiation at SARs of 2 W/kg, 6 W/kg, or 10 W/kg indicated that postirradiation localized temperatures in regions previously shown to exhibit high SARs were appreciably above temperatures at body sites with lower SARs. The postirradiation temperatures in the rectum and tail were significantly higher in rats irradiated at 360 MHz and higher in the tail at 2450 MHz than temperatures resulting from exposure to 700 MHz. This effect was found for whole-body-averaged SARs as low as 6 W/kg at 360 MHz and 10 W/kg at 2450 MHz. In contrast, brain temperatures in the anesthetized rats were not different from those measured in the rest of the body following microwave exposure.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City
• OSTI ID: 5466468
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 8:4; ISSN BLCTD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
BODY TEMPERATURE
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ESOPHAGUS
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HEAD
INTESTINES
LARGE INTESTINE
MAMMALS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
RADIATIONS
RATS
RECTUM
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES