Behavioral Effects of Exposure to the Tempo High-Power Microwave System.

Abstract : Safety standard for exposure to radiofrequency radiation must be based upon biologic consequences of exposure to such environments. Behavioral based measures are considered to be the most sensitive indices of biological effects. Current safety guidelines are based upon average power density and may not be relevant to the high peak power, short pulse width microwave radiation produced by newly developed high peak power microwave sources. The effects of exposure to high peak power radiation on reflexive responding and motor function in Fischer 344/N rats were assessed by measuring startle and general activity, and disruption of on-going performance of a rotarod task respectively. The emitter used was the TEMPO repeat pulse axially extracted vircator. Exposure to single pulses resulted in significant startle responses. Exposure to 1 pps for 10 s produced significant alterations in baseline activity and marked disruption of performance of the rotarod task. The apparently greater effect observed in the rotarod task is discussed in relation to the greater workload that task requires. Experiments are currently being conducted to identify the limits of detection and the quality of the sensory/perceptual experience of exposure to the TEMPO radiation.