Paul Brodeur and Don R. Justesen — The Microwave Safety Debate (1975–1977)
During the mid-1970s, investigative journalist Paul Brodeur and behavioural scientist Don R. Justesen examined the biological effects of microwave radiation from differing perspectives. In Microwaves—II (1976), Brodeur questioned whether American radiation safety standards, largely focused on tissue heating, adequately addressed potential biological effects at lower exposure levels. Justesen, whose 1975 research discussed the established microwave auditory effect and experiments involving encoded speech, subsequently published A Rose by Another Name Is a Cabbage (1977). He highlighted inconsistencies in public perceptions of microwave exposure, particularly the acceptance of medical diathermy alongside fears surrounding weaker electromagnetic fields. While Brodeur emphasised potential risks and shortcomings in safety regulation, Justesen cautioned against treating unverified biological hazards as established facts. Their contrasting perspectives illustrate the scientific disagreements surrounding non-ionising radiation during a period of significant American microwave research.
