Microwave Induced Vibration and Related Effects

Microwave Vibration and Pulse Effects

Personnel who worked on microwave equipment describe "tickling about the head and ears," as well as "buzzing vibrations and pulsations." [1] These sensations appeared to be associated with radar pulses. 1 An early microwave hearing article separately observes vibration induction in human subjects as a different sensory modality. [2] Even deaf (cochleotomized) rats have a startle response to microwaves of sufficient pulse power. [3] Another microwave hearing article in humans mentions "the perception of severe buffeting of the head" without apparent vestibular symptoms, as well as a "pins-and-needles sensation" at parameters different from those necessary for microwave hearing. [4] A high power microwave pulse review of sub-lethal single pulse reports quotes that the rats appeared "stunned and hypoactive," or had seizures followed by an "unconscious state" for 4-5 minutes. [5] These observations suggest a gradient of response to increasing pulse intensity. Vibration is a frequent complaint of some victims who attribute vibration, and other effects to remote harassment by some form of radiation.

References

[1] Barron CJ, Love AA, Baraff AA. Physical evaluation of personnel exposed to microwave emanations. Journal of Aviation Medicine 1955;26:442-52

[2] Frey AH. Some effects on human subjects of ultra-high-frequency radiation. American Journal of Medical Electronics 1963;2:28-32

[3] Raslear TG, Akyel Y. CW microwave fields evoke body movement in bilaterally cochleotomized rats. Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1992 14th Annual International Conference of the IEEE 1992;1:295-6

[4] Frey AH. Human auditory system response to modulated electromagnetic energy. J Appl Physiol 1962;Jul 17:689-92 [Also Online] [Accessed 5/2/2014] URL: http://www.thatte.net/frey.pdf

[5] Seaman RL. Review of literature on high power microwave pulse biological effects. Interum Report for December 2008 to January 2009, Air Force Research Laboratory, 711 Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Directed Energy Bioeffects Division, Radio Frequency Radiation Branch, Brooks City-Base, TX 78235-5147[Online} [Accessed 5/3/2014] URL: ADA512553 [Also available from] URL: http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA512553