Skip to main content
Log in

Effect of 450 MHz Microwave Modulated with 217 Hz on Human EEG in Rest

  • Published:
Environmentalist Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

This study focuses on discrimination of changes, produced by low-level microwave exposure in intensity and time variability of the human EEG at rest. The power spectral density (PSD) method and nonlinear scaling analysis of the length distribution of low variability periods (LDLVP) were selected for analysis of the EEG signal. During the study, 19 healthy volunteers were exposed to a microwave (450 MHz) of 217 Hz frequency on-off modulation. The field power density at the scalp was 0.16 mW/cm2. The experimental protocol consisted of ten cycles of repetitive microwave exposure. Signals from frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital EEG channels on EEG theta, alpha and beta rhythms were analysed. Exposure to microwave causes average increase of EEG activity. LDLVP analysis discriminated significant effect in time variability for 2 subjects (11%). PSD method detected significant changes in intensity for 4 subjects (21%). The effect of low-level microwave exposure is stronger on EEG beta rhythm in temporal and parietal regions of the human brain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bachmann, M., Kalda, J., Lass, J., Tuulik, V., Säkki, M. and Hinrikus, H.: 2005, “Non-Linear Analysis of the Electroencephalogram for Detecting Effects of Low-Level Electromagnetic Fields,” Med Biol Eng Comput 43, 142–149.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balzano, Q. and Sheppard, A.: 2003, “RF Nonlinear Interaction in Living Cells-I: Nonequilibrium Thermodynamic Theory,” Bioelectromagnetics 24, 473–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bawin, S.M., Gavalas-Medici, R.J., Adey, WR.: 1973, “Effects of Modulated Very High Frequency Fields on Specific Brain Rhythms in Cats,” Brain Res 58, 365–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cullen, M.R.: 1987, “Workers with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews’, Philadelphia: Hanley & Belfus, Inc. 2, 655–661.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D'Andrea, J.A., Chou, C.K., Johnston, S.A. and Adair, E.R.: 2003, “Microwave Effects on Nervous System,” Bioelectromagnetics S6: 107–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hietanen, M., Kovala, T. and Hamalainen, A.M.: 2000, “Human Brain Activity During Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields Emitted by Cellular Phones,” Scand J Work Environ Health 26, 87–92.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinrikus, H., Parts, M., Lass, L. and Tuulik, V.: 2004, “Changes in Human EEG Caused by Low-Level Modulated Microwave Exposure,” Bioelectromagnetics 25(6), 431–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huber, R., Graf, T., Cote, K.A., Wittmann, L., Gallmann, E., Matter, D., Schuderer, J., Kuster, N., Borbely, A.A. and Achermann, P.: 2000, “Exposure to Pulsed High-Frequency Electromagnetic Field During Waking Affects Human Sleep EEG,” Neuroreport 11, 3321–3325.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalda, J., Säkki, M., Vainu, M. and Laan, M.: 2001, “Zipf's Law in Human Heartbeat Dynamics’, Available: http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0110075.

  • Krause, C.M., Sillanmäki, L., Koivisto, M., Häggqvist, A., Saarela, C., Revonsuo, A., Laine, M. and Hämäläinen, H.: 2000, “Effects of Electromagnetic Field Emitted by Cellular Phones on the EEG During a Memory Task,” Neuroreport 11, 761–764.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, C.M., Sillanmäki, L., Koivisto, M., Häggqvist, A., Saarela, C., Revonsuo, A., Laine, M. and Hämäläinen, H.: 2000, “Effects of Electromagnetic Fields Emitted by Cellular Phones on the Electroencephalogram During a Visual Working Memory Task,” Int J Radiat Biol 76, 1659–1667.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lass, J.V., Tuulik, R., Ferenets, R., Riisalo. and Hinrikus, H.: 2002, “Effects of 7 Hz-Modulated 450 MHz Electromagnetic Radiation on Human Performance in Visual Memory Tasks,” Int. J. Radiat. Biol 78, 937–944.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maltez, J., Hyllienmark, L., Nikulin, V.V. and Brismar, T.: 2004, “Time Course and Variability of Power in Different Frequency Bands of EEG During Resting Conditions’, J. Clin. Neurophysiol. 34, 195–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, K. and Roschke, J.: 1996, “Effects of Pulsed High-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Human Sleep,” Neuropsychobiology 33, 41–47.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salford, L.G., Brun, A.E., Eberhardt, J.L., Malmgren, L. and Persson, B.R.: 2003, “Nerve Cell Damage in Mammalian Brain After Exposure to Microwaves from GSM Mobile Phones,” Environ Health Perspect 111(7), 881–883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Säkki, M., Kalda, J., Vainu, M. and Laan, M.: 2004, “The Distribution of Low-Variability Periods in Human Heartbeat Dynamics,” Physica A 338, 255–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorobyov, V.V., Galchenko, A.A., Kukushkin, N.I. and Akoev, I.G.: 1997, “Effects of Weak Microwave Fields Amplitude Modulated at ELF on EEG of Symmetric Brain Areas in Rats,” Bioelectromagnetics 18, 293–298.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, P., Roschke, J., Mann, K., Hiller, W. and Frank, C.: 1998, “Human Sleep Under the Influence of Pulsed Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields: A Polysomnographic Study Using Standardized Conditions,” Bioelectromagnetics 19, 199–202.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maie Bachmann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bachmann, M., Säkki, M., Kalda, J. et al. Effect of 450 MHz Microwave Modulated with 217 Hz on Human EEG in Rest. Environmentalist 25, 165–171 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-005-4279-5

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-005-4279-5

Keywords

Navigation