It is just a rumor that it causes cancer. How does the microwave work, and when might it become harmful to the testicles and eyes?
?Shutter Stock/ What is the truth about the harmful effects of the microwave, and how does it work
There is no doubt that it is rare at the present time to find a home in which there is no microwave device. This device has been able to occupy an essential place in our kitchens, because it saves us effort and time at the same time.
But at the same time, there are many conversations about the harmful effects of microwaves. Some of them say that it causes cancer, while others warn that it causes damage to human tissue. So how true is this information ?
What are the true effects of microwaves, and how does it work?
A microwave is a household appliance designed to quickly heat food using special electromagnetic radiation, which heats things from the inside, and also saves time on time-consuming tasks such as melting butter or heating water.
Unlike conventional ovens, microwave ovens cook food from the inside instead of the outside.
According to the Canadian website PartSelect , which specializes in the electrical products industry, the microwave works by sending electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 2.24 gigahertz and a wavelength of 12.2 cm through the food.
This, in turn, causes the water molecules in the food to vibrate, and the resulting friction with other water molecules causes them to heat up. This is how the inside of the food cooks in the microwave.
This is also why frozen foods and dry foods (such as rice) do not cook efficiently, as frozen moisture and items that lack moisture do not respond quickly or uniformly to microwave radiation.
To ensure food is cooked more evenly, many microwave ovens feature a rotating plate to move the food while heating.
?Shutter Stock/ What is the truth about the harmful effects of the microwave, and how does it work
?What is microwave radiation
Microwaves are a form of “electromagnetic” radiation, meaning they are waves of electrical and magnetic energy moving together through a vacuum.
Electromagnetic radiation spans a wide range from very long radio waves to very short gamma rays, and the human eye can detect only a small part of this spectrum called visible light, which is different from the radio spectrum or X-rays.
Visible microwave light and radio frequency (RF) radiation are forms of non-ionizing radiation that do not contain enough energy to provide electrons from atoms.
For example, X-rays, which are known to be harmful to humans, are a form of ionizing radiation, exposure to which alters atoms and molecules and causes cell damage in organic materials.
Therefore, we conclude that non-ionizing microwave radiation does not lead to cell damage in organic materials, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Microwave rays are characterized by being reflected by metal. Passes through glass, paper, plastic and similar materials; It is absorbed by food.
According to the American medical website WebMD , although your food absorbs microwave energy, it does not make it “radioactive” or “contaminated,” and therefore there is no harm in using the microwave and eating food cooked with it.
?Are microwave ovens safe
The American medical website confirmed that microwave oven radiation does not cause cancer, because the only non-ionizing radiation that causes cancer is ultraviolet radiation, which is radiation that is not found in microwaves.
However, it may cause painful burns if a person is exposed to it, and the farther away from the source of radiation the less effective the microwave energy is. All ovens are also built with a standard locking system that stops the microwave oven when the door is opened.
Microwave radiation can heat body tissue in the same way it heats food, however, these burns only occur when exposed to high levels of microwave radiation.
The eyes and testicles are the areas most affected by microwave radiation
According to the Food and Drug Administration , two areas of the body, the eyes and testicles, are particularly vulnerable to radiofrequency heating, due to their relatively limited blood flow to withstand the excess heat.
In addition, the eye's lens is particularly sensitive to extreme heat, and exposure to high levels of microwaves can lead to cataracts.
But these types of injuries – burns and cataracts – can only be caused by exposure to large amounts of microwave radiation.
Therefore, consumers should take common sense precautions regarding the handling of hot foods and beverages.
?Are radiation injuries caused by microwave ovens
Most microwave-related injuries are caused by heat-related burns from hot containers, overheated foods, or exploding liquids. Most injuries are not radiation related, however, there have been very rare cases of radiation injury due to unusual circumstances or inappropriate service.
In general, microwave radiation injuries are caused by exposure to large amounts of microwave radiation leaking through openings such as gaps in microwave oven seals, so the fault is then caused by the manufacturer and not the microwave because FDA regulations for the microwave industry are designed to prevent these radiation leaks. High level.
Tips on how to safely operate a microwave oven
Follow the manufacturer's instruction manual for recommended operating procedures and safety precautions for your oven model.
Use microwave-safe cookware, manufactured specifically for use in a microwave oven.
Do not operate the microwave oven if the door does not close securely, or if it is bent, twisted, or otherwise damaged.
Stop using the microwave oven if it continues to operate with the door open.
As an additional safety precaution, do not stand directly facing the oven (nor allow children to do so) for long periods of time while it is operating.
Do not heat water or liquids in the microwave oven for longer than recommended in the manufacturer's instructions.
Some ovens should not be operated when empty.
Regularly clean the oven cavity, the outer edge of the cavity and the door with water and a mild detergent.
Microwave prohibitions
Before we get into the list of things that should not be put in the microwave, it is worth noting that each device is slightly different from the other, and you can find everything you need to know about your microwave in its manual, and there you will find a detailed chart of what does not belong specifically to your device, and if You lost your manual, so determine the make and model of your microwave, then look it up online.
Shutter Stock/ Microwave oven radiation does not cause cancer, because the only non-ionizing radiation that causes cancer is ultraviolet radiation, which is radiation that is not found in microwaves.
1- Aluminum sheets
The most common household item that you should not put in the microwave is aluminum foil.
It's a very thin metal, so when exposed to microwave radiation, it will reflect energy instead of absorbing it, according to Food Network .
This, in turn, can create sparks that can destroy the appliance, or worse, start a fire, so be sure to remove it completely before reheating your food.
2- Any type of metal or stainless steel
Plates with shiny metal edges and stainless steel travel mugs can also cause a fire if placed inside a microwave.
Moreover, these utensils will prevent your food and drinks from getting hot; Because, as with aluminum foil, the metal will reflect the heat from the microwave instead of allowing the food to absorb it.
3- Single-use plastic
Plastic bags and containers, such as yogurt containers, should never be placed in the microwave; Because they may contain bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA.
These substances can easily dissolve inside the device and release BPA into your food, which research has linked to a variety of health problems.
4- Cups and plates made of Styrofoam
Styrofoam (also known as polystyrene foam) is not only harmful to the environment, but it also melts quickly if exposed to radiation, and is therefore prohibited in the microwave.
Like plastic, Styrofoam can release dangerous chemicals into your food and potentially cause long-term illnesses like cancer.
5- Paper bags
There are certain bags that are designed specifically for use in the microwave, such as popcorn bags, but other than that, it is not safe to put paper bags in the device.
Paper bags or food containers can release toxins into foods, and can easily catch fire if the food becomes too hot.
Don't forget that these paper food containers often have a thin metal wire handle that can create sparks and fires that could destroy the microwave and make it unusable again.
6- Old plates and cups
If you have some old household items, don't use them; Because they are prohibited in the microwave, as these plates and cups may contain lead or other ingredients that may leak into the food when heated to high temperatures. You should also avoid any dishes plated with gold or silver.
7- Plain water
Unlike water boiling on your stove, water heated beyond boiling in the microwave will not necessarily bubble.
However, when you disturb the surface of this seemingly calm water—either by picking it up or pouring something into it—the liquid can explode violently; Which may result in injury to you and anyone close to you.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration , adding substances such as instant coffee or sugar to water before heating will greatly reduce this risk.
8- Raw hot pepper
Heating raw chili peppers is also a no-no in the microwave, as it releases capsaicin (the compound that gives it its spicy taste) into the air, and a microwave fan will blow the capsaicin directly into your face when opened; Which may be dangerous to your eyes and lungs.
9- Eggs
Cooking a whole egg with its shell in the microwave can be dangerous and messy, as the rapid heating process can generate a lot of steam inside the egg, which can cause it to explode into an eggy mess.
10- Broccoli
This may come as a surprise, but according to the American Journal of Food and Agricultural Sciences , cooking broccoli in the microwave can destroy its nutrients, so try steaming or blanching it to preserve its nutritional integrity and color!
11- Uncovered sauces
The most famous food responsible for a messy microwave is pasta sauces made from tomatoes.
Uncovered hot sauces will bubble and explode everywhere inside the microwave. Which may damage the internal part of the device.
12- Run it without anything inside!
If you turn on the microwave without anything, you may cause it to malfunction . Since there is nothing to absorb the microwaves, such as food, the magnetron—the thing that makes the microwave work—ends up absorbing the microwaves and essentially destroying itself.
The manufacture of radars in World War II was behind the invention of the microwave
During the beginning of World War II, Britain worked to manufacture more powerful military radars, compared to those used previously, with lower frequencies, by the British physicist Sir John Turton Randall.
Randall moved with a group of British researchers to the United States of America, in order to work on manufacturing this new radar. A contract was signed with the American company Raytheon in 1940, and the self-educated American engineer Pierce Spencer was among the engineers working on the manufacture of this new device.
One day in 1946, engineer Spencer was busy manufacturing one of these radar devices, but he decided to stop working for a while, after hunger crept into his stomach, so he took a piece of chocolate out of his pocket, only to find that it had completely melted.
Here he asked himself several questions about the reason behind the melting of the chocolate, while he was inside the work room and it was somewhat cold.
Engineer Pierce Spencer decided to investigate the cause of chocolate melting, and the first thing that came to his mind was that it was affected by waves emitted by radar devices, so he decided to conduct several experiments to confirm his idea.
So he brought corn seeds and exposed them to the radiation emanating from the devices he manufactured, so they turned into popcorn. Then he subjected an egg to the same experiment, so he placed it inside a tea kettle with a hole in it, and directed that hole in the direction of an electronic valve that operated the radar, but it exploded due to the radiation emanating from it.
After several experiments, he discovered that the reason behind cooking or heating food quickly is short microwave waves.
Spencer then worked on manufacturing a new device that works with short waves, by placing the short wave generator inside a metal box that prevents the passage of rays in order to ensure the safety of those who use it, and he began to place different types of food inside it, to observe the changes that occur in them, and this was the first A microwave device manufactured by the American company Raytheon.
After engineer Spencer confirmed his invention, he presented it to Raytheon Company, where he worked, in 1947, which approved the production of this new type of oven, which works in a different way, through microwave waves.
The new device was then given a different name, “Radaring”, after the radar device that was the reason for this discovery. The first device was produced on the market in 1953, as it was 1.8 meters high, weighed 340 kilograms, and consumed 3 times the energy used by microwave ovens. Currently, its price reached more than 3 thousand US dollars.
After he obtained the ownership rights to the microwave device, which Raytheon Company commissioned to produce, the American engineer Pierce Spencer received only two dollars from the company, as a symbolic payment to him for his invention.
Source : websites