ABSTRACT
From the very beginning of applying microwaves, the problem of possible bioeffects and health risks related to exposure of human beings was a topic of interest from health services. It appeared that the effects of exposing living systems to pulsed electromagnetic field are inconsistent and do not lend themselves to a simple explanation. In this chapter, pulsed electromagnetic field was characterised in comparison to continuous one regarding power density levels, average energy per pulse, peak energy of pulse, etc. The most common sources of pulsed microwaves were characterised and categorised with respect to the parameters of emitted pulses and peak output power. The general principles of evaluating pulsed microwave exposure of humans (with the characterisation of pulsed radiation in time and frequency domains) have been presented. Radars, as relatively strong electromagnetic sources, have been described in detail. Possible health risks related to public and occupational exposure to pulsed microwaves were discussed. The principles of pulsed exposure limitations and protection against harmful pulsed radiation were presented. The parameters of equipment and measurement methods allowing an evaluation of strong pulsed signals were also discussed with respect to requirements regarding the evaluation of human exposure. The main principles of protecting workers against exposure to a high level of pulsed microwaves have been shown using practical examples of protection measures.
