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Do Microwave Ovens Cause Cancer?

Pamella Silva Moura

Rowan University

COMP01105: Intensive College Composition I

Mark Buckalew

4 November 2023
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Have you ever gotten home after a long day and wanted to eat something quick and easy

and go straight to bed? If the answer is ‘yes,’ you have probably used a microwave before. For

many years, people have believed that if they used the appliance often, they would eventually

develop cancer. Among the most common shared misconceptions is the belief that microwaves

create carcinogenic substances in milk and cereals. Another concern is that the oven's radiation

increases the percentage of cancerous cells in the bloodstream, raising the chances of developing

a tumor. Other than the risk of accidental burns or other minor harm, microwave ovens do not

pose a risk to anyone’s health.

Radiation is a form of energy given off by matter in the form of waves or high-speed

particles. It is classified into two distinct types: ionizing and non-ionizing. The first has enough

energy to remove an electron from an atom, which damages the DNA and is directly related to

cancer development (Does RF, 2022). This type of radiation includes radon, x-rays, gamma rays,

and other high-energy radiation. It is also emitted by atomic weapons and nuclear reactions.

Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation can cause serious injuries in individuals, leading to

severe radiation sickness, skin or tissue damage, and even death (Risk Factors, 2019). Non-

ionizing radiation—the type in microwaves—is not directly related to causing cancer. Also

known as radiofrequency radiation, this type of radiation has lower energy levels; therefore, it

can not modify atoms and thus cannot damage people’s DNA. RF radiation is found in both

natural and human-made sources, such as the sun—UV rays—radio and television signals, cell

phone devices, and, of course, microwaves. Because RF radiation can produce heat if absorbed

in large amounts, long-period exposure can lead to superficial burns and tissue damage.

Microwave ovens are common appliances in almost every household; still, many people

do not understand how they work. Microwave ovens heat food using microwaves, a form of
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electromagnetic radiation similar to radio waves. These microwaves cause water particles on the

food to vibrate, which creates heat and cooks the food. Microwave ovens work in three steps:

“(1) A main component called a magnetron generates electromagnetic waves inside the

microwave. (2) These waves pulse back and forth through the microwave’s interior. (3) The

waves then bounce off the interior's metal walls to penetrate and heat food” (How Do, 2020).

Because its radiation can heat body tissue the same way it heats food, the only danger microwave

ovens pose to individuals is the possibility of burns (2020) caused by overheated foods and

containers. Also, the ovens are designed to ensure that the microwaves within the appliance can

only be present when the door is shut and the oven is on to guarantee consumers’ safety.

Fabricators suggest that individuals take some safety precautions, such as checking the door to

guarantee it is correctly closed, using microwave-safe cookware, not standing directly against it

for long periods, and ensuring the appliance is in good condition.

People are always afraid of what they do not understand; radiation is no exception. Due

to the representation of radiation in the mass media, individuals tend to jump to conclusions and

often associate it with devastation. The large sci-fi culture of the mid-'50s and early '60s had a

fixation with radiation, with movies such as The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues(1955) and

Them! (1954), often portraying it as a mutating danger capable of creating terrifying monsters.

At that point, the general public did not know about the technology used to fabricate the

appliances. Consequently, when discovering that their ovens used radiation to heat their meals,

people started associating the radiation in the appliance with the one portrayed in the large

entertainment media. Along with the fact that the majority of individuals are not educated about

radiation, this contributes to why people believe microwave ovens cause cancer. Although these

appliances were becoming famous in households, people were still skeptical about their risks.
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“They were concerned about food safety, personal safety, and the overall need to have one in the

home” (Aurilia, 2018). People did not understand how a metal box could heat food so

effectively, so they turned to their knowledge–or lack of it–to create justifications explaining

what was unknown to them. These myths and fears were and still are passed down through

generations, contributing to the continuity of the wrong beliefs.

In summary, despite what some say, microwave ovens do not increase the risk of cancer

development in humans. On the contrary, unless the appliance has a fabrication mistake, the

oven poses no danger and facilitates people’s lives. Lack of education on radiation and

understanding their differences and how they work also contributes to the belief in and spreading

of this misconception. Instead of being worried about the appliance, people should be concerned

about the microwave foods they consume as most of them are high in sodium and preservatives,

which can pose great danger to human health, such as increasing blood pressure and

cardiovascular problems. Moreover, while safety precautions should be taken when using a

microwave oven, no scientific evidence suggests that microwave ovens cause cancer. Therefore,

microwave ovens are a safe and convenient appliance for households and, if used appropriately,

should not be feared.

References

Aurilia, J., Jr. (2018, October 2). Solar is Like a 1980’s Microwave Oven. LinkedIn.

Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/solar-like-1980s-

microwave-oven-joseph-aurilia-jr-/

Does RF radiation cause cancer? (n.d.). American Cancer Society. Retrieved October

26, 2023, from

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/radiation-exposure/radiofrequency-

radiation.html?fbclid=IwAR0Z6J7-YTSAFtgoW2obs-

4vp9EBbHxVZNuMd5wn_VnRi1OG_j30kupbh-U

How do microwaves work? (2020, July 28). How do microwaves work? Whirlpool.

Retrieved October 24, 2023, from https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/how-do-

microwaves-work.html#:~:text=A%20main%20component%20called%20a,to

%20penetrate%20and%20heat%20food.

Risk factors: radiation. (2019, March 7). National Cancer Institute. Retrieved October 26,

2023, from

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation#:~:text= High

%2Denergy%20radiation%2C%20such%20as,made%2C%20tested%2C%20or%20used.