From the Instat group - very good question Our world is a funny place as demonstrated by two recent news reports. The first is about Qwest Communications' plan to replace 11,000 Kyocera cellular phones because they exceed federal radiation emission standards. This despite the fact that study after study seems to confirm that even high cellular use does not cause any type of major negative health effects in humans.

The second article is about how the Pentagon is touting a new "non- lethal" weapon, which is basically a microwave oven on wheels. The "Active Denial Weapon," as the Air Force calls it, works by directing intense microwave energy at a victim causing his skin to become hot. Within seconds, the person feels pain that is akin to touching a hot light bulb.

The Air Force claims that the weapon causes no lasting effects to the intended victim when used for short periods, but does not deny that harm can occur if the weapon is used incorrectly. The weapon could be deployed during peacekeeping missions when deadly force is not necessary. The working range and power level of the device are classified, and nobody is talking about how it may be possible for the intended victim to elude the weapon by simply wrapping him or herself in aluminum foil.

http://www.instat.com/insights/wireless/2001/info_03-09.htm

By Allen Nogee, Senior Analyst, Wireless Ccomponent Technology

-- Rich Marsh (marshr@airmail.net), April 18, 2001

Answers

The Air Force claims that the weapon causes
no lasting effects to the intended victim

Simply put, they lie ::::-§

elude the weapon by simply wrapping him
or herself in aluminum foil.

A space blanket, or fire fighters blanket
would probably work also.

This is only the most recent of a large array
of new weapons being developed, including sound,
laser and electro-magnetic heat weapons.

DARPA, Defense Advanced Research Projects, is
the agency that is working on these new weapons.

The US forces in Somalia used the developed
'nonlethal' laser technology but detuned it to
be used as a target identifier. It was originally
designed to 'dazzle' the enemy.

Another 'nonlethal' device is the Pulse Wave
Myotron which scramles the signals from the motor
cortex. The victim falls to the floor in pain.

These weapons may be nonlethal in the short term
but they are not benign ::::-§

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), April 18, 2001.

"Safety" is generally dose-dependent. Even vitamins can be toxic in high doses.

But I think spider said it best: non-lethal, but not benign. !

-- L. Hunter Cassells (mellyrn@castlemark-honey.com), April 18, 2001.

Why does this remind me of the stories from the 50's where the Greenland DEW Line guards would warm themselves in front of the radar antennas... ?

-- j (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), April 20, 2001.