2.45 GHz microwave radiation effects in nonthermal damaging of the human erythrocyte membrane

The effect of low level 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on human erythrocite membrane was studied by measuring the induced hemolysis of the exposed erythrocytes at different power densities (0.025 - 10 mW/cm2). A significant increase of the hemoglobin loss by the microwave exposed erythrocytes comparatively to controls was observed. Red blood cells (RBC) count was essentially the same in irradiated and control samples while the mean cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) decreased in the exposed samples. These observations indicate that the the hemoglobin loss from the microwave irradiated cells is due to the membrane permeabilisation of the exposed erythrocites rather than to their lysis.