Inter-species extrapolation of skin heating resulting from millimeter wave irradiation: Modeling and experimental results

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2003

Abstract

This study reports measurements of the skin surface temperature elevations during localized irradiation (94 GHz) of three species: rat (irradiated on lower abdomen), rhesus monkey (posterior forelimb), and human (posterior forearm). Two exposure conditions were examined: prolonged, low power density microwaves (LPM) and short-term, high power density microwaves (HPM). Temperature histories were compared with calculations from a bio-heat transfer model. The mean peak surface temperature increase was approximately 7.0°C for the short-term HPM exposures for all three species/locations, and 8.5°C (monkey, human) to 10.5°C (rat) for the longer-duration LPM exposures. The HPM temperature histories are in close agreement with a one-dimensional conduction heat transfer model with negligible blood flow. The LPM temperature histories were compared with calculations from the bio-heat model, evaluated for various (constant) blood flow rates. Results suggest a variable blood flow model, reflecting a dynamic thermoregulatory response, may be more suited to describing skin surface temperature response under long-duration MMW irradiation.

Publication Title

Health Physics

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