The Daily Herald from Chicago, Illinois • Page 13

THE HERALD Monday, February II, 1974 Section 2 She's engaged in microwave research Effects on behavior interest Harper professor by MONICA WILCM Red tape sometimes has advantages. Like the red tape that has prevented Dr. Susan Korbel's scientific equipment from being sent to her at Harper College. If it had accompanied her here from the University of Arkansas a year ago, it would have burned in the fire that gutted Harper's fieldhouse last summer. And that would have constituted a serious setback for microwave research, in which Dr.

Korbel is a leading expert. An associate professlor of psychology at Harper, Dr. Korbel has for the last 10 years been studying the behavioral effects resulting from low levels of microwave radiation. Her work has more recently come into the spotlight because of the development of the microwave oven and subsequent concern over Its safety. But, she points out, Americans have long been surrounded by low-level microwave radiation in the form of radio and TV signals and other communications systems.

BUT THE OVENS are the main reason for the sudden interest of government, industry and the public in the standards for microwave exposure. The national standard is 10 milowatts maximum, while specific standards for microwave ovens have arbitrarily, according to Dr. Korbel been set at 5 milowatts around the oven door. "I've done work on rats at levels as low as .15 milowatts and found effects," she said. "The rats became very lethargic, more emotional and more prone to seizures." When she subjected them to electric shock, they stayed in the seizure longer than the control rats, se reported.

Further tests revealed that rats exposed to low levels of mocrowaves were hampered in learning, and displayed increased adrenal weight a sign of stress, Dr. Korbel said. Most sobering of all her findings were indications that the effects of exposure are accumulative contrary to what the manufacturers of microwave ovens have been assuring the public. WHILE DR. KORBEL'S study has involved, for the most part, microwaves of lower frequencies and powers than those used in the ovens, she said the higher frequencies have not been investigated to any significant extent at all.

For that matter, she said, no one has even measured UHF power to determine the degree of daily exposure people in any given location receive. However, she mentioned an unconfirmed report that someone recently did this in a New York City skyscraper and found microwave radiation over the 10-milowatt standard presumably from communications equipment. "I wouldn't say 'Let's not have any more communications'," Dr. Korbel quickly added, "but we should be aware of any potential problem." For this rea- son, she doubts microwave use will be greatly expanded in the near future -although it has been experimentally used on other home appliances such as dishwashers and in burglar alarm systems. WHILE THE industries concerned with marketing microwave ovens and perhaps other microwave appliances continue to insist that microwaves do not have cumulative effects; Dr.

Korbel denies the validity of their claims. "They're always emphasizing tissue damage but you can get drastic effects without affecting tissue. And the behavioral effects are accumulative." One theory that has been advanced to explain the accumulative effects of low- level microwaves is that of a biochemical change. "The Russians showed a definite biochemical change in rats and rabbits exposed to low-level microwaves," Dr. Korbel said, adding with a chuckle that the Russians "saved my neck" by reporting their findings of biochemical changes several days after she had, with some reservation, presented her theory to scientists in this country.

THE RUSSIAN experiments with microwaves have played a significant role in the oven controversy here, with such experts as Consumers Union quoting the Russian data to urge stricter standards, and microwave oven proponents pooh- poohing the Soviet experiments as invalid. DR. SUSAN KORBEL, psychology professor at Harper, is a member of the American National Standards Institute committee re-evaluating microwaves. Dr. Korbel, whose specialty is experimental design (the setting up of variables and controls to produce a valid experiment) has had some opportunity to evaluate the Russians' work and declares it to be "very good In the early '60s information was available on Russian experimental methods, Dr Korbel said.

But last year a colleague of hers from the University of Washington visited a Russian lab and was able to report to her on the design, methods, and equipment they used in their microwave experiments. But what are the implications of all this for human beings? ACCORDING TO DR. Korbel, further research into theories of microwave-induced biochemical changes "might show some physiological effects we just don't know yet. You might not need an ionizing (X-ray) wave to damage tissue." As for translating experimental findings with rats into human terms, Dr. Korbel cautioned that correlations should not be made without basis However, some experimentation with humans has been done by the Russians, she said, who did find behavioral effects similar to those in rats Reportedly, a similar study is being conducted by a Florida scientist.

Meanwhile, Dr. Korbel said, it appears that the U.S. standard for microwaves will stay at 10 milowatts for awhile. Feminine touch Area debs to bow at ball Women in Antarctic by ROBERT C. MILLER McMURDO, Antarctica Women's Lib has invaded the Antarctic, the world's last stronghold of masculinity.

Ever since Capt. James Cook first penetrated the Antarctic Circle two centuries ago. Antarctica has been a man's world, ui)perfumed, except in rare cases, by women. Today Antarctica is no longer the world's sexless continent, but an integrated land with a definite feminine touch. There are at least two married couples working and living here at the National Science Foundation's base at McMurdo, several college co-eds doing under-and post-graduate work In and around McMurdo as well as a Navy WAVE Lieutenant.

Women dietitians work during the summer season at the huge McMurdo dining hall and for the first time in Antarctic history, two women biologists will winter over at McMurdo. Sister Mary Odile Cahoon of Duluth, and Dr. Mary A. McWhinnie of Oak Park, will spend the long, dark Antarctic winter studying krill (Euphausia superba). a shrimp-like animal endemic to Antarctic waters.

Soviet scientists said there have been women at the two main Russian bases of Vostok and Mirny, but none has ever spent the winter on the continent. THERE ARE unsubstantiated reports that a Frenchwoman may have been the first lady ever to have visited the Antarctic. A girl who posed as a cabin boy was said to have made the entire voyage undetected until the ship touched at Tahiti where the Tahitian women discovered her ruse. But officially it was not until 1935 that a woman first set her dainty feet on the continent. She was Mrs.

Klarius Mikkelsen, the wife of a Norwegian whaling ship captain. Two years later Mrs Mikkelsen accomplished another first for women, She became the first woman ever to fly over Antarctica. She made the flight in one of the planes used by the factory ships to search for whales. Housekeeping for the two married women, Hana Pinshow and Yuan DeVries, is no problem in the Antarctic as they and their scientist husbands live in the spacious quarters complete with flush toilets and a sauna bath (both rare luxuries here) and have little or no cooking to do as everyone eats at the central dining hall. HANA, AN Israeli, and Yuan, who was born on Taiwan, are biologists who are assisting their husbands on studies of penguins and Antarctic fishes.

"Entertaining is strictly a do-it- yourself operation," explained the petite Mrs. DeVries, "as everyone pitches in and helps. We serve our guests a unique canape, smoked Dissostichus mawsoni, an Antarctic cod which we catch and smoke ourselves. It has a trout-like flavor which everyone says makes it the most delicious fish they have ever eaten." The young unmarrieds at McMurdo are outnumbered at about a ratio of eight to 1100, but they all agree that sex is no problem as there isn't any. "I know it sounds crazy, but rarely, if ever does anybody get Involved down here," said Mary Olson of Morton Grove, III.

"Most of the girls either have fiances back home or are married, and then it is a brother-sister relationship." MARY, A SENIOR at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, spent most of her three-month Antarctic tour living in an A-frame hut at Lake Bonney doing field research with a VPI team in the Dry Valleys some 80 miles from McMurdo. Housekeeping at Lake Bonney was strictly a camping out affair where the only contact with the outside world was the Navy helicopters which shuttled back and forth between Lake Bonney and McMurdo when the weather permitted. The attraction in the Antarctic for most of its women is science plus adventure. Every woman at McMurdo is a specialist in her field. "My greatest thrill came at 11:45 m.

one night last month," explained Mary Olson, "and that was when I completed an experiment I had been slaving over for days. Oh sure, I enjoy the scenery, the uniqueness of the Antarctic, but in all honesty my biggest thrill was not when I stepped off the plane and saw the ice, the mountains and the scenery. It was great, but nothing compared to that night when I finally completed my experiment. I was walking around on a cloud for days afterward." HANA PINSHOW said there is never enough time to get bored or feel isolated at McMurdo. "Of course, it's not like living in San Diego," she said with a wide grin, "but we have just about every comfort you could ask for, including our Israeli newspapers which are mailed in.

I think every woman scientist down here would agree that we are lucky to be here (United Press International) Fishermen dress for comfort (EDITOR'S NOTE: Fashion Editor Karen Thompson is on vacation. The following was written by Walter Logan, men's fashion writer for United Press International.) Doug Swlsher, one of America's foremost fly fishing experts, says a man should put comfort and practicality above everything else when it comes to wearing fishing clothes. He would Ignore current trends toward brighter colors in leisure wear on the offhand possibility it might scare the fish and he would leave such bright apparel to such people as those who wear red coats while galloping through the fields chasing foxes. A Swisher theory is that people wear their ordinary work clothes 50 hours a week, they dress up for parties or church, about 12 hours a week and then are in their pajamas or nightgown for another 63 hours. That leaves 43 hours for leisure clothes, or about 25 per cent of a man's clothes wearing time, and a man should mate the most of it by wearing clothes that fit the occasion.

And if you are one of the 28 million fishermen in the country, you aim for comfort. SWISHER IS a full-time consultant for Berkley and a fishing tackle manufacturer in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and when Fashion by Karen he comes to New York on one of his frequent visits, he has some very' positive ideas on fishing clothes, "and they don't include a derby hat and patent leather shoes." "At one time anglers wore broad-brimmed hats and frock coats and looked like something out of Currier and Ives," he said. "But the first rule of fishermen's dress today is to be comfortable." Hats, shoes or waders and pockets are the most important factors in a fisherman's wardrobe, according to Swisher. And even in a hatless society, anyone who fishes regularly soon learns he needs a hat with a bill or a brim to protect his eyes from the sun and the sun- glare on the water. Swisher himself prefers a snug fitting hat with a brim all the way around it and turned down' to protect him sun, glare and rain dripping'down his neck.

The snug fit is essential to keep the At the stroke of 11 Saturday night eight young women will enter the Grand Ballroom of the Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago, on the arms of their fathers, to be presented at the 35th Red and White Ball The social event is sponsored by the Legion of Young Polish Women. Two Prospect residents, Cherylynn Marie Poczatek and Debra Louise Spiewak, are among the eight debutantes Both attend Prospect High School. Cherylynn is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank G.

Poczatek. She is active in several clubs at school, including skiing, art, business and recreation. The deb plans a career in interior design. DEBRA, DAUGHTER of Mr. and Mrs Paul C.

Spiewak, calls bowling and hat on in a brisk wind while hands are busy with rod and reel. If you are not using waders, the rubber boot-pants that keep you dry in water up to your waist, it is essential to have comfortable shoes that you can stand in all day, that will bold their footing on slippery rocks or steep river banks and which water will not hurt. PROBABLY THE moat universal Item in a fisherman's he says, is the sleeveless fishing vest' made of lightweight canvas, duck or poplin, with an oversized pocket on the back to hold a waterproof jacket or raincoat just in case. The appeal of the best is that it leaves your arms unencumbered for casting or for handling fishing gear. The good ones also offer good, body warmth and they have enough pockets to serve as a no-hands tackle box when you're in the middle of a trout stream or looking for hidden bass along a river bank.

Fishing clothes run counter to the trend for more color and contrast in leisure wear designed for say the golf course or the tennis court. "The reason Is.that bright colors exaggerate movements that seem to spook fish and fishermen prefer to give 'their luck all the help it can get. So theystick with neutral of gray," brown or green. No wonder Beau Brummel preferred fox hunting!" Cherylynn Poczatek horseback riding her favorite sports and will study law when she begins college. Both families are repeating the formalities of the presentation, having introduced another daughter at the 1972 ball.

Those young women were Elaine Poczatek and Kathy Spiewak. Another Mount Prospect resident, Stephanie Jagielski, is on the Bali committee, acting as treasurer. Suburban Living I A Mary Sherry Depletion allowance for a housewife? I am suffering from an energy crisis. I suppose one could tell by the few lights seen burning at our house in the morning. Another sure sign is that the-car doesn't leave the garage during the day too much any more.

A reading of our electric meter would indicate that my use of the washer, dryer, vacuum and iron is down considerably. All this may sound Hke a patriotic attempt to conserve oil, but that is not the energy supply I find critically short. The kind of energy I am talking about is the type that keeps one from going back to bed in the morning. Last Tuesday I was trying to explain my condition to my husband as I cleaned up the kitchen. He was annoyed because in my haste to put the coffee on before I 1975 big year for women The United Nations is planning to mark 1975 as International Women's Year.

The role of women in economic and social development and ways in which they can and should benefit from the development process are matters being considered by planners, distinguished women from member countries, appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women. They recently met at the United Nations in New York to plan for the event. The Commssion on the Status of Women is a part of the United Na-, tions Economic and Social Council. (United Press International) woke up, I had forgot to put the top on the percolator. As I caught a few extra winks on the livingroom couch, coffee perked all over the kitchen.

"WHAT I NEED is'an energy depletion allowance," I told him as I wiped off the cupboards. He made some unsympathetic noises from behind the morning paper. "The way it would work is that I would schedule" extra projects from March through December which 1 could then d-i as my accomplishments in January or February. How much extra I did would determine the length of time I could spend doing nothing during the low months," I explained. "Doesn't that sound reasonable?" I asked as I wiped off the chandelier.

My husband just mumbled skeptically and finished one of the two cups of coffee brewed from my original eight-cup mea- Energy tips Energy saving tips from experts at the University of Minnesota: Vapuum condenser coils on refrigerators. It makes heat exchange more efficient and results in less energy use. Make sure a refrigerator is not wedged against a wall, because- it then retains heat from its own condenser coils and'needs more energy to stay cold inside. Keep often used foods such as catsup and jelly fa a much opening of the refrigerator. When using the range, heat food to fowling over high heat, then lower the setting to maintain settings use about a quarter as much gas or electricity as the higher ones.

Run automatic dishwashers only with full toads and dont let them go through the drying cycle. (DPI) sure. By the time he left for work I recognized the problem I had in selling this energy depletion allowance to my husband. As the public views the oil crisis, so my husband views my energy crisis. He doesn't believe the shortage is real.

I am sure he would challenge me with such "evidence" as my endurance at a late party and my response to any invitation to lunch He would also point out my lack of effort to refine my natural energy with exercise and a little dieting. I SUPPOSE I could counter with terms like "profit motive" and "reserve incentive." However, I know he would come back with the observation that would, I'm afraid, put an end to my almost-perfect plan. That is, who needs six breakfasts throughout the months of July, August and September? Beer and Banjo for newcomers Mount Prospect Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club is planning a Beer and Banjo Night for members and guests Satur- day in Des Plaines VFW Hall, 2067 Miner St. The Wittenmeyer Banjo Band will pro-. vide music for singing-along and dancing from 9 p.m.

to midnight. Included in the price of $9 per couple' are pretzels and peanuts at each table, a chicken dinner with cole slaw, french fries and rolls. Beer will be sold along; with an open bar of mixed and soft- drinks. Tickets may be purchased from' board members or at the door from 8:30 p.m. tint evening.

Further information can be obtained-' from Mrs. James Janovics, 593-2384 or Mrs. Robert Tatom, 259-2128..