Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/10/2008

Question
My son, age 44, has been diagnosed with Oliastrocytoma Grade 111 as well as a Meningioma December, 2007. Since he worked as an avionic systems specialist for over 5 years (1987-19920 and worked on F-111s, F 15s, F-16s and F-18s. His job duties exposed him on occasion to radar screens & antennas while standing directly in front of the radar transponders i order to identify & isolate malfunctions. He was also exposed to narrow type RF beams and constantly exposed to various radio frequencies of concentrated nature as well as active and passive radar and radio transmissions doing maintenance  troubleshooting and repairs. There many other duties that exposed him such as the ICMS and TEWS PODS that exposed him to the high-intensity radio emitters known as electronic countermeasure jammers that are designed to jam and damage radars on the ground.  Many times while doing maintence and repair during "Red Ball" aircraft turn around, they did not know if radar or ECM was emitting radiation so there was always a potential for exposure as they did the repairs. Also the dormitory facility he stay in for 5 years was directly under large radar antenna that was on 24/7. We need info that will tie his brain tumors to the radiation exposure he has received so he can apply for disability through the military.  can you help?

Answer
Radar and radio waves have millimeter to meter wavelengths (your microwave oven is in the centimeter range (1 inch is 2.54 centimeter, 1 meter is 1000 millimeters or 100 centimeters)). Such relatively long electromagnetic waves can ONLY as far as we know at present cause heat damage if intense enough. They are NOT ionizing which is required for radiation to be able to cause tumors. Only ultraviolet light up to x-rays and gamma rays are short enough as electromagnetic waves go to cause cancer inducing effects since they are all ionizing. Waves longer than ultraviolet light (which is the longest to be able to do so) - like visible light - are unable to do so. These waves you mention are MUCH longer than even visible light. So in short I believe it is useless to apply for disability compensation due to damages in his work since that claim due to what I have written above will never be accepted.

Sorry Madam, but my reply is based on at present accepted scientific views (radiation physics, radiation biology & radiation protection). I'm sorry I can not provide you with a more appealing answer but I have to tell you the truth as far as I know it however unwelcome it may be.
There exists at present NO accepted scientific evidence that radio/radar waves of this kind can cause any kind of tumor! I refer you to the debate with regards to mobile phones where the conclusions are the same!