Protecting Military Personnel and the Public from the Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation from Military Communications and Radar Systems

This study has as its objective the improvement of the protection provided by the military services to military personnel and members of the general public from the hazards of electromagnetic radiation (EMH) of military communications and radar systems. The focus of the investigation is on the area of the electromagnetic spectrum from 30 Hz to 300 Gigahertz. As part of the investigation, the nature of EMH with respect to its interaction with biological matter is reviewed, and the extent of the hazard created by EMR at various frequencies is examined. The extent of military involvement with systems that emit EMH and with research into the hazards of EMR is detailed. An analysis of the military services protective measures, both physical and administrative, is made. Investigation reveals that there are several areas in which the individual services could improve their protective measures by adopting measures in use in other services. Recommendations as to corrective measures are suggested.