Acoustic Pressures in the Head from Pulsed Microwaves: Can They Explain the Havana Syndrome?

PAPER manual TechRxiv 2025 Other Effect: unclear Evidence: Insufficient

Read original paper → DOI: 10.36227/techrxiv.175502739.93949559/v1 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Biophysics Tags: microwave auditory effect,pulsed microwaves,Havana Syndrome,electromagnetic fields,acoustic pressure,health risk,high powered microwave pulses DOI: 10.36227/techrxiv.175502739.93949559/v1 URL: techrxiv.org Overview The microwave auditory effect—referring to "clicks" or "buzzing" sensations that a person experiences when their head is exposed to pulsed microwave energy, such as emitted by radar transmitters—has been known since the 1960s. Background - Originally considered a threshold hearing phenomenon. - The effect has gained renewed interest due to the advent of high powered microwave sources in recent decades. Findings There is discussion about whether this effect could pose a potential danger—especially health risks—for individuals exposed to high powered microwave pulses. Conclusion This study considers if acoustic pressures in the head, generated by pulsed microwaves, can explain health conditions such as the "Havana Syndrome," highlighting the importance of evaluating risks from electromagnetic field exposures.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Other

Effect direction

unclear

Population

—

Sample size

—

Exposure

microwave high powered microwave pulses (e.g., radar transmitters)

Evidence strength

Insufficient

Confidence: 62% · Peer-reviewed: no

Main findings

The paper discusses the microwave auditory effect from pulsed microwave exposure and considers whether acoustic pressures generated in the head could explain health conditions such as Havana Syndrome, emphasizing the need to evaluate risks from electromagnetic field exposures.

Outcomes measured

microwave auditory effect (clicks/buzzing sensations)
acoustic pressure in the head
potential health risks
Havana Syndrome (as a proposed explanation context)

Suggested hubs

occupational-exposure (0.25)
Mentions radar transmitters and high powered microwave pulses as sources, which can be relevant to occupational settings.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": "high powered microwave pulses (e.g., radar transmitters)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "microwave auditory effect (clicks/buzzing sensations)",
        "acoustic pressure in the head",
        "potential health risks",
        "Havana Syndrome (as a proposed explanation context)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The paper discusses the microwave auditory effect from pulsed microwave exposure and considers whether acoustic pressures generated in the head could explain health conditions such as Havana Syndrome, emphasizing the need to evaluate risks from electromagnetic field exposures.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "no",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave auditory effect",
        "pulsed microwaves",
        "Havana Syndrome",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "acoustic pressure",
        "health risk",
        "high powered microwave pulses",
        "radar transmitters"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Mentions radar transmitters and high powered microwave pulses as sources, which can be relevant to occupational settings."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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