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Microwaves are not necessarily bad for your health when exposure to them is kept to a minimum. Microwaves are used for many kinds of communication, radar, of course, cooking. Microwaves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and occupy a band between UHF radio/television frequencies and infrared light. Microwaves do not carry or cause radioactivity (the term "nuking" is purely fictional). Microwaves (like infrared energy produced by electric ovens) cause molecules in the food or liquid to vibrate against each other and create heat. It is this "frictional" heat that does the cooking in a microwave oven. Direct exposure to microwaves can be harmful to living organisms when power levels are high (over 10 milliwatts per square centimeter). Microwave ovens are designed to contain the microwave energy to ensure safety. However, a microwave oven with damaged hinges, cabinets, or door seals can leak enough microwave energy to be a concern. Do not use any microwave oven that has obvious damage to the door, door-seals, or housing. The effects of direct microwave exposure can be very serious and include corneal cataracts that can lead to blindness, tissue heating, and cellular damage. Exposure to dangerous levels of microwaves usually requires the intentional disregard for safety interlocks or the assembly of components specifically designed to create over-exposure conditions.

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16y ago

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