Name:
Professor
Corse
Date
Authenticity of Internet Information
Research shows that four out of ten people who share news on social media like twitter and Facebook admit to have passed on fake news. About 18.7% of these people admit to doing so in order to upset others (Lazer, pg. 1049-96). In as much as there are people who pass on true information, majority of them are inclined into false information because it spreads like fire. Inaccurate information gains more recognition and finds acceptance more than true news and false news travels six times faster than authentic news (Lazer, pg. 1049-96). With this in mind we cannot always trust information that we access through social media or news articles. This calls for research which will help us evaluate if the kind of information we have received is indeed true as claimed to be.
There has been a recent claim going round that microwaves are dangerous and that they can cause cancer. A news article posted on ‘Daily Mail’ titled the ‘The Real Dangers of Microwave Ovens’ investigates how indeed microwaves emit radiations which cause cancer (Graf, 2016). According to the study, it is indeed true that it is convenient and easy to warm or cook food using the microwave. A study conducted by Professor Havas explains that there is a real danger in lazily putting our meals in the microwave without thinking about the consequences. According to Professor Havas, microwaves leak radiations which end up affecting our health. Microwaves are normally fit with a metal mesh that is meant to act as a protector to prevent waves from leaking. The professor did a number of tests on about twelve microwaves and found out that every single one of them leaked radioactive (Graf, 2016).
Microwaves are dangerous in two ways; one it affects your food and two it affects your health. Microwaves affects food by reducing the nutritional content in the food. Excess heat produced by the oven denatures enzymes during radiation. When the food is eaten, only a portion of nutrients is received by the body. Microwaves affect humans through a process called radiation. Our bodies are majorly made up of water thus radiation waves found in the microwave are designed to heat water and our bodies tend to naturally absorb the radiation waves. Another way it affects our bodies is by causing cataracts (Graf, 2014). Cataracts are the leading cause of poor vision in people especially people who are 40 years and above. Excess radiation has also been linked to causing blindness. Cataracts are caused by looking at your oven as it warms food. The radiation that is produced as you fix your eyes on the oven light end up affecting the eyes I the long run.
A study conducted by World Health Organization tries to demystify all these claims by scientifically investigating if microwaves are really carcinogenic. The study did an in depth research of analysing microwaves and the radiation they emit and came up with a conclusion that it is a misconception to say that food prepared using a microwave is radioactive (Gunnars, 2014). No microwave energy remains in the food after the oven has been switched off. The study gives an analogy of the microwave being like a light bulb. When the switch is on the bulb emits light but when it is turned off, no light is emitted. Microwaves are safe to be used for cooking and heating as long as they are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Microwaves use power ranging from 500 to 1100 watts and are used at a frequency of about 2450MHz. A microwave is made using an electronic tube known as magnetron. When it is switched on, waves are released from the cavity and dispersed by a stirring fan in all directions (Gunnars, 2014). These waves are then absorbed by the food. In order to heat food uniformly, the microwave plate rotates so that the waves are absorbed in equal length. Water molecules found in the food vibrate when they come into contact with the energy that is emitted. The friction between water molecules in the food results in production of heat that either warms or cooks the food.
The safety of microwaves is also guaranteed by the fact that they are made according to the required international standards. Several electromagnetic safety standards have been set by the European Committee for Eletrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) to ensure the safety of microwaves. When all these factors are put into place, then it is 100% safe to use microwaves as long as the user follows the instructions given by the manufacturer. One of the most common precautions given is to use a melamine or glass plate when heating food. Caution is given against using metallic plates since it causes electrical arcing which may damage the walls of the microwave.
After reviewing the news article and the research by the World Health Organization, we can conclude that microwaves do not cause cancer. Microwaves although they produce radiation which is what has caused many to associate the equipment with cancer, they are safe to use. A research conducted by the Cancer Council gives enough proof that microwave ovens do not cause cancer (Gunnars, 2014). Microwaves heat food by the process of radiation. Radiation makes water molecules to vibrate and produce heat which in turn warms or cooks food. As long as the microwave oven is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and all the necessary precautions are taken, then it is safe to conclude that microwaves do cause cancer. Microwaves only heat food and do not make any additional changes to the food component.
Works Cited
Graf, M. de. (n.d.). From cataracts to cancer: The REAL dangers of microwave ovens – and how to test if yours is leaking. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3745308/amp/From-cataracts-cancer-REAL-dangers-microwave-ovens-test-leaking.html#aoh=15724394416363&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24sGunnars, Kris “Microwave Ovens Do Not Cause Cancer.” Cancer Council NSW, 15 Jan. 2014, https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/86089/cancer-information/general-information-cancer-information/cancer-questions-myths/environmental-and-occupational-carcinogens/microwave-ovens-do-not-cause-cancer/.
Lazer, David MJ, et al. “The science of fake news.” Science 359.6380 (2018): 1094-1096.
