Environmental management of microwave radiated by weather radars. Its effects in Human Heath.

Abstract

Cuban Institute of Meteorology operates a network of eight meteorological radars for weather surveillance in Cuban territory and adjacent seas. Those radars operate in the microwave region, so, together with a number of devices used in everyday life, industry and communication, they contribute to generate an additional radiation level over the natural one. This is a relatively new subject of study in the interaction between radiation and the matter, the environment and more specifically the human being. Five of those radars are placed in remote locations, but three of them operate in urban conditions, especially those in Camagüey and Casablanca, which are placed in crowded locations. In the current paper we show an analysis of bibliography regarding microwave effects on environment and more specifically on human health. It is apparent through epidemiological studies, that exposure to different levels of radiation generates harmful effects like: genotoxic, carcinogenic, reproductive, aural, neuropsychic, hematologic, immunologic and cardiovascular, among others. The objective of the present work is to identify probable risk to human health in exposing to microwaves and consequently recognize the needs of correct environmental management of microwave exposition in the vicinity of weather radars in Cuba.