MadSci Network: Engineering |
Dear Joseph, There is no possibility that microwave energy can leave radiation in food. Microwave energy is non-ionizing radiation. In fact, the quantum energy levels that microwave energy can excite are well below that required to break chemical bonds. To have nuclear radiation remain in food requires that the forces holding nuclear particles are broken. This is simply not possible with microwaves which are less enegetic than visible light or even infra-red radation. Microwave energy can be mis-used however, and the results to food can make them inedible. Microwaves do not cook like conventional heat, so the results are often unexpected. You can burn thick sauces easily and dry meats very quickly. Parts of frozen pizzas will be frozen while other parts will be charred. There are numerous people that have derided microwave energy as "un- natural" and inherently harmful. People confuse microwave energy with nuclear energy often because of the common phrase of "nuking your food" used to describe microwave warming or cooking. However, as described above, there is no connection between nuclear energy and microwave energy. If you have further questions about microwave energy, please feel free to write me directly at xpetersonx@aol.com. Ed Peterson, PhD
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