Human exposure to microwaves and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields

[April 1981 draft of a Position Paper adopted by the Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR) and proposed as an IEEE Position Paper.] The IEEE recognizes the public concern regarding the possible health hazards from the pervasive and ever-expanding use of devices that emit microwaves and radiofrequency electromagnetic (EM) fields. Safety guidelines such as those recently proposed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Committee C95 appear quite adequate on the basis of our present understanding of the biological effects ofEMfields. Because of the tremendous current and promising beneficial applications of this technology and several identified gaps in our knowledge, the IEEE also recognizes the need for continuing research on EM bioeffects to insure the safe use of such devices. In summary, the position of the IEEE is that there is no cause for public concern regarding the environmental levels of EM fields to which the general population is being exposed. In addition, prolonged exposure to levels lower than those recommended recently by the ANSI Committee C95 is unlikely to be hazardous to human health.