Your Health Matters
By Claudia Parks, R.N.

Use your microwave safely. The microwave oven has become a permanent fixture in the American kitchen, the office break room and many hotel/motel rooms. According to Appliance Magazine, only DVD players and digital televisions were shipped out of U.S. warehouses in greater numbers than were microwave ovens during 2006.

Did you know?

The FDA regulates the manufacture of microwave ovens.

Microwave ovens must comply with strict FDA radiation emission limits.

An important part of microwave oven safety is proper use and maintenance, as recommended by the user manual.

Microwave oven safety begins with understanding how these time-and energy-saving technological wonders work. Microwaves- the actual waves produced by these ovens- are a type of electromagnetic radiation. These waves cause water molecules in food to vibrate. These vibrations, in turn, produce the heat that cooks the food.

The waves are produced by an electron tube within the oven called a magnetron. They are reflected within the oven's metal interior; can pass through glass, paper, plastic, and similar materials; and are absorbed by food.

Contrary to popular belief, microwave ovens do not cook food from the "inside out."

Most injuries related to microwave ovens are the result of serious thermal burns from hot containers, over-heated foods, or exploding liquids. There have been extremely rare instances of radiation injury due to unusual circumstances or improper servicing.

Safety Tips for Operation

Follow the manufacturer's instruction manual for recommended operating procedures and safety precautions.

Don't operate a microwave oven if the door doesn't close firmly or is bent, warped, or otherwise damaged.

Never operate a microwave oven if you have reason to believe it will continue to operate with the door open.

Don't stand directly against a microwave oven (and don't allow children to do this) for long periods of time while it is operating.

Refer to the instruction manual for your oven. Some microwave ovens should not be operated when empty.

What Else Should You Know?

Microwave-Safe Containers: Use cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven. Glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics should be labeled for microwave oven use. Generally, metal pans or aluminum foil should not be used. The microwaves reflect off them, causing food to cook unevenly and possibly damaging the oven.

Erupted Hot Water Phenomena: Hot-water eruption can occur if you use a microwave oven to super-heat water in a clean cup. ("Superheated" means the water is hot beyond boiling temperature, although it shows no signs of boiling.)

A slight disturbance or movement may cause the water to violently explode out of the cup. There have been reports of serious skin burns or scalding injuries around people's hands and faces as a result of this phenomenon.

Adding materials such as instant coffee or sugar to the water before heating greatly reduces the risk of hot-water eruption. Also, follow the precautions and recommendations found in microwave oven instruction manuals; specifically the heating time.

Pacemakers: Today's pacemakers are now designed to be shielded against electrical interference. Consult with your physician if you have concerns.

Checking For Leakage: There is little cause for concern about excess microwaves leaking from ovens unless the door hinges, latch, or seals are damaged. If you suspect a problem, contact the oven manufacturer; a microwave oven service organization; your state health department; or the closest FDA office, which you can locate online at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/district. html. For more info: U.S. Government Food Safety Web Site www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/fsmwave. html. FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/mic rowave.html

It is more likely that your microwave oven will get more use during the holiday season- so be alert and extra careful and have a happy festive season.

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains, near Blairsville. Claudia can be reached at yhm@windstream.net