Volume 19, Issue 7
Review

Current state and implications of research on biological effects of millimeter waves: A review of the literature

Andrei G. Pakhomov

Corresponding Author

E-mail address: andrei.pakhomov@aloer.brooks.af.mil

McKesson BioServices, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas

USA‐MCMR, McKesson BioServices, 8308 Hawks Road, Building 1168, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX 78235‐5324Search for more papers by this author
Yahya Akyel

McKesson BioServices, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas

Search for more papers by this author
Olga N. Pakhomova

McKesson BioServices, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas

Search for more papers by this author
Bruce E. Stuck

U.S. Army Medical Research Detachment of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas

Search for more papers by this author
Michael R. Murphy

Directed Energy Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas

Search for more papers by this author

Abstract

In recent years, research into biological and medical effects of millimeter waves (MMW) has expanded greatly. This paper analyzes general trends in the area and briefly reviews the most significant publications, proceeding from cell‐free systems, dosimetry, and spectroscopy issues through cultured cells and isolated organs to animals and humans. The studies reviewed demonstrate effects of low‐intensity MMW (10 mW/cm2 and less) on cell growth and proliferation, activity of enzymes, state of cell genetic apparatus, function of excitable membranes, peripheral receptors, and other biological systems. In animals and humans, local MMW exposure stimulated tissue repair and regeneration, alleviated stress reactions, and facilitated recovery in a wide range of diseases (MMW therapy). Many reported MMW effects could not be readily explained by temperature changes during irradiation. The paper outlines some problems and uncertainties in the MMW research area, identifies tasks for future studies, and discusses possible implications for development of exposure safety criteria and guidelines. Bioelectromagnetics 19:393–413, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Number of times cited according to CrossRef: 163

  • Electromagnetism and the Microbiome(s), Microbiomics, 10.1016/B978-0-12-816664-2.00014-1, (299-331), (2020).
  • Disinfestation of red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) present in almonds (Prunus dulcis) using microwave heating and evaluation of quality and shelf life of almonds, Journal of Stored Products Research, 10.1016/j.jspr.2020.101616, 87, (101616), (2020).
  • IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation—COMAR Technical Information Statement: Health and Safety Issues Concerning Exposure of the General Public to Electromagnetic Energy from 5G Wireless Communications Networks, Health Physics, 10.1097/HP.0000000000001301, 119, 2, (236-246), (2020).
  • Detection of metallic and nonmetallic concealed targets based on millimeter‐wave inverse scattering approach, International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering, 10.1002/mmce.22290, 0, 0, (2020).
  • Non-resonant Frequencies in Mobile Wireless 5G Communication Networks, Wireless Personal Communications, 10.1007/s11277-020-07633-3, (2020).
  • Stimulated activity in the neural tissue, Journal of Applied Physics, 10.1063/1.5083062, 125, 21, (211101), (2019).
  • Health Risks in the Telecommunications Industry and Sustainable Development, Good Health and Well-Being, 10.1007/978-3-319-69627-0_119-1, (1-14), (2019).
  • undefined, 2019 IEEE International Conference on Microwaves, Antennas, Communications and Electronic Systems (COMCAS), 10.1109/COMCAS44984.2019.8958339, (1-4), (2019).
  • undefined, 2019 14th International Conference on Advanced Technologies, Systems and Services in Telecommunications (TELSIKS), 10.1109/TELSIKS46999.2019.9002324, (111-116), (2019).
  • Untargeted metabolomics unveil alterations of biomembranes permeability in human HaCaT keratinocytes upon 60 GHz millimeter-wave exposure, Scientific Reports, 10.1038/s41598-019-45662-6, 9, 1, (2019).
  • 5 G wireless telecommunications expansion: Public health and environmental implications, Environmental Research, 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.016, 165, (484-495), (2018).
  • Extremely high‐frequency electromagnetic radiation enhances neutrophil response to particulate agonists, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.22103, 39, 2, (144-155), (2017).
  • Influence of microwave heating on biogas production from Sida hermaphrodita silage, Bioresource Technology, 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.08.165, 245, (1290-1293), (2017).
  • Semi-classical statistical description of Fröhlich condensation, Journal of Biological Physics, 10.1007/s10867-017-9442-y, 43, 2, (167-184), (2017).
  • The interaction between electromagnetic fields at megahertz, gigahertz and terahertz frequencies with cells, tissues and organisms: risks and potential, Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 10.1098/rsif.2017.0585, 14, 137, (20170585), (2017).
  • Modified Health Effects of Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation Combined with Other Agents Reported in the Biomedical Literature, Microwave Effects on DNA and Proteins, 10.1007/978-3-319-50289-2, (97-157), (2017).
  • Microscale temperature and SAR measurements in cell monolayer models exposed to millimeter waves, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.21999, 38, 1, (11-21), (2016).
  • Effect of long-term exposure to mobile phone radiation on alpha-Int1 gene sequence of Candida albicans, Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.05.001, 23, 3, (426-433), (2016).
  • Effects of millimeter wave treatment on the germination rate and antioxidant potentials and gamma-aminobutyric acid of the germinated brown rice, Food Science and Biotechnology, 10.1007/s10068-016-0016-8, 25, 1, (111-114), (2016).
  • Effect of millimeter waves on the microbiological and physicochemical properties of Korean rice wine Makgeolli, Food Science and Biotechnology, 10.1007/s10068-016-0069-8, 25, 2, (497-502), (2016).
  • Millimeter waves or extremely high frequency electromagnetic fields in the environment: what are their effects on bacteria?, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 10.1007/s00253-016-7538-0, 100, 11, (4761-4771), (2016).
  • Impact of 60‐GHz millimeter waves on stress and pain‐related protein expression in differentiating neuron‐like cells, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.21995, 37, 7, (444-454), (2016).
  • Infrared thermography based studies on mobile phone induced heating, Infrared Physics & Technology, 10.1016/j.infrared.2015.04.010, 71, (242-251), (2015).
  • Cell phone-generated radio frequency electromagnetic field effects on the locomotor behaviors of the fishes Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio , International Journal of Radiation Biology, 10.3109/09553002.2015.1062575, 91, 10, (843-850), (2015).
  • Reduction of Exposure Inhomogeneity for Millimeter-Wave Experiments on Cells In Vitro, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 10.1109/TMTT.2014.2377739, 63, 2, (533-545), (2015).
  • Effects of Pulsed 2.856 GHz Microwave Exposure on BM-MSCs Isolated from C57BL/6 Mice, PLOS ONE, 10.1371/journal.pone.0117550, 10, 2, (e0117550), (2015).
  • Terahertz Frequency Security Systems and Terahertz Safety Considerations, Physics and Applications of Terahertz Radiation, 10.1007/978-94-007-3837-9_9, (233-255), (2014).
  • undefined, Proceedings of the 2nd Pan African International Conference on Science, Computing and Telecommunications (PACT 2014), 10.1109/SCAT.2014.7055148, (138-142), (2014).
  • undefined, 2014 XXXIth URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (URSI GASS), 10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6930121, (1-4), (2014).
  • undefined, 2014 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS2014), 10.1109/MWSYM.2014.6848513, (1-4), (2014).
  • Effect of millimetre waves on phosphatidylcholine membrane models: a non-thermal mechanism of interaction, Soft Matter, 10.1039/C4SM00551A, 10, 30, (5559-5567), (2014).
  • Effect of millimeter wave for differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells to osteoblasts-like cell, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 10.1007/s13770-014-0017-8, 11, 3, (230-238), (2014).
  • Microwave Irradiation of Candidal Adhesion and Biofilm on Polymethylmethacrylate Resin, Advanced Materials Research, 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.905.73, 905, (73-77), (2014).
  • Evaluation of SAR Distribution in Six-Layer Human Head Model, International Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 10.1155/2013/580872, 2013, (1-8), (2013).
  • Electromagnetic Biostimulation of Living Cultures for Biotechnology, Biofuel and Bioenergy Applications, Advances in Biofuel Production, 10.1201/b16341, (155-212), (2013).
  • Changes in ion transport through membranes, ATPase activity and antibiotics effects in Enterococcus hirae after low intensity electromagnetic irradiation of 51.8 and 53.0 GHz frequencies, Biophysics, 10.1134/S0006350913040167, 58, 4, (524-529), (2013).
  • Thermal Mechanisms of Millimeter Wave Stimulation of Excitable Cells, Biophysical Journal, 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.05.014, 104, 12, (2622-2628), (2013).
  • The effect of strong microwave electric field radiation on: (1) vegetable seed germination and seedling growth rateDidelės galios mikrobangų impulsų poveikis: (1) daržo augalų sėklų daigumui ir daigų augimo rodikliams, Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, 10.13080/z-a.2013.100.023, 100, 2, (179-184), (2013).
  • Impact of temperature, microwave radiation and organic loading rate on methanogenic community and biogas production during fermentation of dairy wastewater, Bioresource Technology, 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.11.093, 129, (308-314), (2013).
  • Combined biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields and other agents in the published literature, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 10.1016/j.techfore.2012.12.006, 80, 7, (1331-1349), (2013).
  • The influence of millimeter waves on the physical properties of large and giant unilamellar vesicles, Journal of Biological Physics, 10.1007/s10867-012-9296-2, 39, 3, (395-410), (2013).
  • undefined, 2013 IEEE Topical Conference on Biomedical Wireless Technologies, Networks, and Sensing Systems, 10.1109/BioWireleSS.2013.6613677, (67-69), (2013).
  • State of knowledge on biological effects at 40–60 GHz, Comptes Rendus Physique, 10.1016/j.crhy.2013.02.005, 14, 5, (402-411), (2013).
  • Reaction of the immune system to low-level RF/MW exposures, Science of The Total Environment, 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.03.034, 454-455, (393-400), (2013).
  • A Dual-Beam Irradiation Facility for a Novel Hybrid Cancer Therapy, Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 10.1007/s10762-012-9945-3, 34, 1, (71-87), (2012).
  • Escherichia coli Growth Changes by the Mediated Effects After Low-Intensity Electromagnetic Irradiation of Extremely High Frequencies, Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 10.1007/s12013-012-9448-9, 65, 3, (445-454), (2012).
  • Effect of various microwave frequencies on the physiology of a cyanobacterium, Schizothrix mexicana, Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 10.1007/s11738-012-1153-1, 35, 4, (1367-1372), (2012).
  • Bactericidal effects of low-intensity extremely high frequency electromagnetic field: an overview with phenomenon, mechanisms, targets and consequences, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 10.3109/1040841X.2012.691461, 39, 1, (102-111), (2012).
  • Millimeter waves: Acoustic and electromagnetic, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.21750, 34, 1, (3-14), (2012).
  • The effect of a 94 GHz electromagnetic field on neuronal microtubules, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.21760, 34, 2, (133-144), (2012).
  • Ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in modern medicine, Polish Annals of Medicine, 10.1016/j.poamed.2012.07.001, 19, 2, (134-138), (2012).
  • Effects of Terahertz Radiation on Biological Systems, Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 10.1080/10643389.2011.574206, 42, 22, (2408-2434), (2012).
  • Microwave induced shift of the main phase transition in phosphatidylcholine membranes, Bioelectrochemistry, 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2011.10.003, 84, (18-24), (2012).
  • In Vitro Dosimetry and Temperature Evaluations of a Typical Millimeter-Wave Aperture-Field Exposure Setup, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 10.1109/TMTT.2012.2213829, 60, 11, (3608-3622), (2012).
  • Permeability Changes of Cationic Liposomes Loaded with Carbonic Anhydrase Induced by Millimeter Waves Radiation, Radiation Research, 10.1667/RR2949.1, 178, 5, (437-446), (2012).
  • Microwave radiation and reactor design influence microbial communities during methane fermentation, Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 10.1007/s10295-012-1141-x, 39, 9, (1397-1405), (2012).
  • Open-Ended Waveguide Measurement and Numerical Simulation of the Reflectivity of Petri Dish Supported Skin Cell Monolayers in the mm-wave Range, Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 10.1007/s10762-012-9888-8, 33, 5, (529-547), (2012).
  • Millimeter Wave-induced Modulation of Calcium Dynamics in an Engineered Skin Co-culture Model: Role of Secreted ATP on Calcium Spiking, Journal of Radiation Research, 10.1269/jrr.11037, 53, 2, (159-167), (2012).
  • CASE STUDY OF HIGH BLOOD GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION EFFECTS OF 850 MHZ ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS USING GTEM CELL, Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, 10.2528/PIERB12022015, 40, (55-77), (2012).
  • Electromagnetic irradiation of nterococcus hirae at low‐intensity 51.8‐ and 53.0‐GHz frequencies: changes in bacterial cell membrane properties and enhanced antibiotics effects, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02512.x, 329, 2, (131-137), (2012).
  • Numerical Dosimetry for Cells Cultured in Petri Dishes Exposed to a Six-degree-freedom Millimeter-Wave Radiator, Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, 10.1163/156939305775525936, 19, 9, (1183-1197), (2012).
  • Treatment of chronic pain with millimetre wave therapy (MWT) in patients with diffuse connective tissue diseases: a pilot case series study, European Journal of Pain, 10.1016/S1090-3801(02)00125-8, 7, 3, (289-294), (2012).
  • Hypothalamic Effects of Millimeter Wave Irradiation Depend on Location of Exposed Acupuncture Zones in Unanesthetized Rabbits, The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 10.1142/S0192415X0200003X, 30, 01, (29-35), (2012).
  • Effect of millimeter waves and cyclophosphamide on cytokine regulation, Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 10.3109/08923973.2011.583252, 34, 1, (107-112), (2011).
  • The remote sensing of mental stress from the electromagnetic reflection coefficient of human skin in the sub‐THz range, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.21698, 33, 5, (375-382), (2011).
  • Escherichia coli Membrane-Associated Energy-Dependent Processes and Sensitivity Toward Antibiotics Changes as Responses to Low-Intensity Electromagnetic Irradiation of 70.6 and 73 GHz Frequencies, Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 10.1007/s12013-011-9327-9, 62, 3, (451-461), (2011).
  • The effect of different treatment time of millimeter wave on chondrocyte apoptosis, caspase-3, caspase-8, and MMP-13 expression in rabbit surgically induced model of knee osteoarthritis, Rheumatology International, 10.1007/s00296-011-2080-y, 32, 9, (2847-2856), (2011).
  • Near‐field dosimetry for in vitro exposure of human cells at 60 GHz, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.20685, 33, 1, (55-64), (2011).
  • Whole‐genome expression analysis in primary human keratinocyte cell cultures exposed to 60 GHz radiation, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.20693, 33, 2, (147-158), (2011).
  • Complex permittivity of representative biological solutions in the 2–67 GHz range, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.20713, 33, 4, (346-355), (2011).
  • Electromagnetic cellular interactions, Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2010.07.003, 105, 3, (223-246), (2011).
  • undefined, 2011 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, 10.1109/MWSYM.2011.5972895, (1-4), (2011).
  • Millimeter-wave interactions with the human body: state of knowledge and recent advances, International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies, 10.1017/S1759078711000122, 3, 02, (237-247), (2011).
  • Effects of microwave radiation and conductive heating on Tribolium castaneum microstructure, Micron, 10.1016/j.micron.2010.08.005, 42, 1, (36-41), (2011).
  • Low Intensity Electromagnetic Irradiation with 70.6 and 73 GHz Frequencies Affects Escherichia coli Growth and Changes Water Properties, Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 10.1007/s12013-010-9150-8, 60, 3, (275-281), (2011).
  • Comparing different physical factors on serum TNF-α levels, chondrocyte apoptosis, caspase-3 and caspase-8 expression in osteoarthritis of the knee in rabbits, Joint Bone Spine, 10.1016/j.jbspin.2011.01.009, 78, 6, (604-610), (2011).
  • Microwave‐Induced Shape‐Memory Effect of Chemically Crosslinked Moist Poly(vinyl alcohol) Networks, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 10.1002/macp.201100149, 212, 14, (1460-1468), (2011).
  • Extremely High Frequency Electromagnetic Irradiation in Combination with Antibiotics Enhances Antibacterial Effects on Escherichia coli, Current Microbiology, 10.1007/s00284-010-9811-2, 62, 3, (962-967), (2010).
  • Bioelectromagnetics, complex behaviour and psychotherapeutic potential, QJM, 10.1093/qjmed/hcq079, 103, 8, (545-554), (2010).
  • Effect of 99 GHz continuous millimeter wave electro-magnetic radiation on E. coli viability and metabolic activity , International Journal of Radiation Biology, 10.3109/09553000903567912, 86, 5, (390-399), (2010).
  • Effects of Millimeter Waves Radiation on Cell Membrane - A Brief Review, Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 10.1007/s10762-010-9731-z, 31, 12, (1400-1411), (2010).
  • Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L., Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2008.09.022, 672, 2, (76-81), (2009).
  • Evaluation of the Potential Biological Effects of the 60-GHz Millimeter Waves Upon Human Cells, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 10.1109/TAP.2009.2029308, 57, 10, (2949-2956), (2009).
  • Weak, strong, and coherent regimes of Frohlich condensation and their applications to terahertz medicine and quantum consciousness, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 10.1073/pnas.0806273106, 106, 11, (4219-4224), (2009).
  • Evaluation of the Potential In Vitro Antiproliferative Effects of Millimeter Waves at Some Therapeutic Frequencies on RPMI 7932 Human Skin Malignant Melanoma Cells, Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 10.1007/s12013-009-9053-8, 55, 1, (25-32), (2009).
  • The response of giant phospholipid vesicles to millimeter waves radiation, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes, 10.1016/j.bbamem.2009.04.006, 1788, 7, (1497-1507), (2009).
  • A New Sterilization Technique of Bovine Pericardial Biomaterial Using Microwave Radiation, Tissue Engineering Part C: Methods, 10.1089/ten.tec.2008.0350, 15, 3, (445-454), (2009).
  • Altered Calcium Dynamics Mediates P19-Derived Neuron-Like Cell Responses to Millimeter-Wave Radiation, Radiation Research, 10.1667/RR1760.1, 172, 6, (725-736), (2009).
  • Mechanism for Combined Action of Microwaves and Static Magnetic Field: Slow Non Uniform Rotation of Charged Nucleoid, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 10.1080/15368370802493313, 27, 4, (340-354), (2009).
  • Magnetic Field Therapy: A Review, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 10.1080/15368370600925342, 26, 1, (1-23), (2009).
  • Comparative Study of Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Low-Intensity Extremely High-Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation and Diclofenac on Footpad Edema in Mice, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 10.1080/15368370500253795, 24, 2, (143-157), (2009).
  • Nonthermal Biological Effects of Microwaves: Current Knowledge, Further Perspective, and Urgent Needs, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 10.1080/15368370500381844, 24, 3, (375-403), (2009).
  • Electromagnetic Biostimulation of Living Cultures for Biotechnology, Biofuel and Bioenergy Applications, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 10.3390/ijms10104515, 10, 10, (4515-4558), (2009).
  • Terahertz Radiation Effects and Biological Applications, Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 10.1007/s10762-009-9561-z, (2009).
  • Absence of direct effect of low-power millimeter-wave radiation at 60.4 GHz on endoplasmic reticulum stress, Cell Biology and Toxicology, 10.1007/s10565-008-9101-y, 25, 5, (471-478), (2008).
  • Microwaves from UMTS/GSM mobile phones induce long‐lasting inhibition of 53BP1/γ‐H2AX DNA repair foci in human lymphocytes, Bioelectromagnetics, 10.1002/bem.20445, 30, 2, (129-141), (2008).
  • undefined, 2008 33rd International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves, 10.1109/ICIMW.2008.4665663, (1-2), (2008).
  • Gold Nanoparticles and Microwave Irradiation Inhibit Beta-Amyloid Amyloidogenesis, Nanoscale Research Letters, 10.1007/s11671-008-9178-5, 3, 11, (435-443), (2008).
  • Numerical and Experimental Millimeter-Wave Dosimetry for In Vitro Experiments , IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 10.1109/TMTT.2008.2006797, 56, 12, (2998-3007), (2008).
  • Background activity of neurons of the supraoptic hypothalamic nucleus in rats under conditions of vibrational stimulation and electromagnetic extrahigh-frequency irradiation, Neurophysiology, 10.1007/s11062-008-9008-5, 39, 6, (373-381), (2008).

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.