What is Microwave Radiation?
Microwave radiation refers to the radiating wave movement in which microwave energy travels. Microwaves are electromagnetic rays with a frequency range of 0.3 GHz to 300 Ghz. They are found between the radio waves and the infrared waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Microwaves take a straight line path. Like all electromagnetic waves, they do not require a medium to travel through. They can pass through non-metal materials like plastic and glass, but get reflected off metal surfaces. Microwaves are absorbed by food, fruit, vegetables and other materials with high water content, and produce heat. This is the operational principle on which microwave kitchen appliances work.
A microwave oven consists of a high voltage transformer, an electron tube called magnetron, a wave guide fan and a cooking chamber. The transformer passes electric energy to the magnetron and the magnetron converts this electric energy into microwave radiation. The microwaves are reflected in the cooking chamber and are absorbed by the food.
As a result of the microwave absorption, the water molecules in the food begin to vibrate. This molecular movement produces heat and the resultant heat cooks the food. Foods that have higher concentrations of water molecules cook faster. In thicker foods, the outer part is cooked by the microwaves and the inner part is cooked by conduction of heat from the heated outer part.
Concerns about microwaves turning food radioactive are baseless. The radiation in microwave radiation refers to the way in which microwaves move, not radioactivity. Microwaves are of a non-ionizing character. They do not have the energy to cause chemical changes in substances as would happen in the case of radioactivity.
The principle danger of microwaves is that body tissue can be affected in the same way that food is. Microwaves can cause burns, eye cataracts and other injuries. It, however, would take high levels of microwaves for this to happen. The levels of microwave radiation in kitchen appliances are fortunately very low.
Microwave radiation also stops as soon as an appliance is turned off. This means the the dangers of standing in front of the microwave oven are rather negligible. At the same time, it is important to take sensible precautions.
Before buying, make sure the microwave kitchen appliances meet industry approved safety standards. Read and follow the instructions of use. Use bowls and vessels specifically designed for microwave oven use. Avoid heating water or other liquids in the microwave, or at least not for long periods. Keep the oven door shut when it is in operation.
Written by Sonal Panse
