Introductory remarks [Special issue intro.]

This Special Issue on the Biological Effects of Microwaves is particularly timely. US Public Law 90-602, known as the "Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968," was adopted by the 90th Congress on October 18, 1968. The purpose was to protect the public health and safety from the dangers of electronic product radiation. Microwave generators fall under the purview of this legislation. There are some reports in which it is concluded that long time exposures to low power levels are beneficial. A better understanding of these effects is necessary. As will be seen from the table of contents, this issue includes three different aspects of the problem: biological experiments and biophysical mechanisms, analysis and measurement of microwave fields in biological systems, and applications and engineering reports. With this diversification of reports, it is quite likely that the general understanding of the problem will be enhanced in a favorable way by this special issue on the biological effects of microwaves.