“Microwave syndrome”: hypersensitivity to electromagnetic radiation
Patient safety is one of our core principals at EMF Disturbance Monitors, Inc. We are a Class II medical device according to current FDA guidelines. Because our technology involves exposing patients to low-frequency electromagnetic radiation for a short time period, we need to follow standards published by organizations such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). For the geeks among you, the safe exposure to electromagnetic energy is 10 mW/cubic cm based on current standards. Our exposure times must meet these limits to assure safe exposure during the test.
So, is there any evidence that electromagnetic energy exposure can harm humans? The answer is yes. Reports from Russia, Scandinavia and Taiwan suggest that some individuals have “hypersensitivity” to electromagnetic radiation exposure. This has been dubbed “Microwave syndrome”. The reports concern soldiers who had prolonged exposure to cathode ray tubes (EMF doesn’t use cathode ray tubes). These soldiers reported fatigue, dizziness, problems with concentration, sleep disturbances and skin rashes. Cathode ray tubes can produce electromagnetic radiation at high frequencies (EMF uses low-frequency electromagnetic energy). Cathode ray tube electromagnetic energy emission is often referred to as an “electron gun”. The soldiers were using military equipment with cathode ray tubes during the Cold War (1950-1980). More recently, “hypersensitivity” to electromagnetic radiation has also been reported from people who live near high-power lines and transformers. Studies from Poland and Finland suggested that the risk of depression and anxiety might be higher in residents who live within 50 m of a high-voltage power line or transformer (EMF does not use high-voltage equipment). The transformers operate at 400,000 volts (EMF operates at less than 50 volts).
Interestingly, there are also potential risks from electromagnetic energy exposure at the other end of the spectrum. Studies in rabbits have suggested mild hearing loss after exposure to ultra low frequency electromagnetic energy exposure in the range of 50 Hz. There are also concerns that ultra-low frequency electromagnetic energy used by military submarines for communication might interfere with body functions of mammals like whales who communicate with ultra-low frequency sound. rTMS is an FDA-approved treatment for depression that uses ultra-low-frequency electromagnetic energy pulses. The FDA has limited the time exposure of rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) due to possible side effects with prolonged exposure (EMF does not use ultra-low frequency energy exposure).
If you’re still following the science of this, it would appear that the potential risk of human complications from electromagnetic energy exposure has a “sweet spot”. The sweet spot lies somewhere between ultra-low frequency electromagnetic energy exposure and high-voltage/high-frequency electromagnetic energy exposure. The other important point is that “hypersensitivity” to electromagnetic energy exposure is rare in humans. Most individuals who live near high power lines do not report symptoms of “Microwave syndrome”. EMF disturbance technology uses electromagnetic energy exposure that falls in the “sweet spot”. Our first clinical study used energy at 2000 Hz. Our student volunteers did not report any side effects from exposure.
Our core principle of patient safety requires that we complete safety tests for electromagnetic energy exposure in humans before requesting FDA approval. Even though our technology uses energy exposure in ranges that are considered “low risk” for human complications, it is important to confirm safety by asking all of our human test subjects if they experience any side effects as a result of our test. Our Human Volunteer study is planned for the fall of 2024. Each volunteer will complete multiple questionnaires over a 30-60 day time period to validate the safety of our technology. Follow along with our journey to FDA approval by checking our website.
