Effects of microwave radiation on the eye: The occupational health perspective

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Lens and Eye Toxicity Research; (USA)

OSTI ID:6054297

Cutz, A ^[1]

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1. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)

The purpose of this overview is to promote an interest in understanding and reducing the possible occupational health risks of microwave radiation on the eye. Microwaves act on living tissue through two types of mechanisms, thermal and nonthermal. Lens opacities can be induced in experimental animals at relatively high intensities (power densities greater than 100 mW/cm2). For lower intensities, lens changes may depend on the cumulative dose. At nonthermal intensities, microwaves can act as a trigger and set off changes in the living tissues (e.g. Ca++ efflux). Some cataract-causing agents (alloxan and galactose) act synergistically with microwaves. Microwaves also accelerate formation of cataracts due to diabetes. The corneal endothelium can be damaged by microwaves alone or in combination with some drugs. Microwave degeneration of retinal nerve endings and a small increase in retinal permeability were also found in animals. The effect of long-term low-intensity microwave exposure on the human lens remains poorly understood. Several reports have implicated occupational microwave exposure as a factor in increasing the rate of lens aging and retinal injury in microwave workers. In Canada, recommended microwave exposure limits are set at 25 mW/cm2 for microwave workers and at 1 mW/cm2 for the general public (both averaged over 1 minute). The Australian microwave exposure safety standard (1985) recommends pre- and post-employment eye examinations for workers.

• OSTI ID: 6054297
• Journal Information: Lens and Eye Toxicity Research; (USA), Vol. 6:1-2; ISSN 1042-6922
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
EYES
SENSITIVITY
MICROWAVE RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CATARACTS
CRYSTALLINE LENS
ENDOTHELIUM
MAN
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
RISK ASSESSMENT
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FACE
HEAD
MAMMALS
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATIONS
SAFETY
SAFETY STANDARDS
SENSE ORGANS
SENSE ORGANS DISEASES
STANDARDS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects