2-11. BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
human body absorbs and is heated by the radiation which may cause the following:
(1)
Hyperthermia--abnormally elevated body temperature.
(2)
Decreased sperm production--a temporary condition.
(3)
Cataractogenesis--cataract formation in the eyes.
b. Nonthermal Effects. Excessive microwave radiation may cause the
following which are not heat-related:
(1)
Nausea and epigastric distress.
(2)
Hearing problems.
(3)
Hematopoietic--problems in the formation of blood cells.
(4)
Central nervous system response changes:
(a)
Irritability.
(b) Euphoria--abnormal or exaggerated sense of well-being.
Section III. LASER RADIATION
2-12. DEFINITION
Laser technology is one of the most far-reaching developments of the 20th
century. A laser light beam can be directed to do such widely different things as
perform microscopic surgery, bore holes in diamonds, communicate over great
distances, guide missiles and satellites, and trigger thermonuclear fusion. A laser is a
very brilliant source of light. If all the light bulbs in the world were turned on at once, the
result would not be the same as a beam from a single laser. Laser light is a different
kind of light.
a. The word laser is an acronym made up of the first letter of each of these
words: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
MD0587
2-17
Previous Page
