Microwave impact on health

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Microwave impact on health

Written by Eng.Admin

Thursday, 06 November 2008 18:20

First, it is imperative to understand that the word "radiation" applies to different things. One kind is ionizing radiation or particle radiation, which can (for example) damage organic molecules by impacting them and imparting energy. Another is nonionizingwave radiation, like microwaves, which cannot. It is common for the terms to be crossed, so that people get the impression a microwave oven might make food "radioactive", which is literally impossible no matter how much microwave energy is used. Similarly, microwave radiation could not cause cancer in the same way that uranium could. The word "radiation" refers to the fact that energy can radiate, and not to the different nature and effects of different kinds of energy.
The health effects of microwaves are highly controversial. A great number of studies have been undertaken in the last two decades, some concluding that microwaves pose a hazard to health, and others concluding they are safe. It is understood that microwave radiation of a level that causes heating of living tissue is hazardous (due to the possibility of overheating and burns) and most countries have standards limiting exposure, such as the Federal Communications Commission RF safety regulations. Still at issue is whether lower levels of microwave energy have bioeffects.

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