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From: keith@uiucme.uiucme
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: microwave ovens harmful?
Message-ID: <900003@uiucme>
Date: Tue, 24-Sep-85 14:41:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: uiucme.900003
Posted: Tue Sep 24 14:41:00 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 26-Sep-85 07:34:46 EDT
References: <1110@wanginst.UUCP>
Lines: 33
Nf-ID: #R:wanginst.UUCP:-111000:uiucme:900003:000:1291
Nf-From: uiucme.uiucme!keith    Sep 24 13:41:00 1985



Microwave ovens are basically safe.  No dependable association of
microwave oven use to sterility has been found.  

Microwave ovens have been known to cause pacemakers
(heart rate controls) to speed up, slow down, or stop altogether.
That's a function of interfering with the sensors in the
pacemaker.

Here's a simple test:  Buy yourself a cheap little RF power meter -
some places sell them especially for checking microwave ovens -
and check the periphery of the door - where it seals - for higher
levels than other areas.  If the meter shows substantially different
readings around the door, then it doesn't fit and seal properly and
should be repaired.  Make sure there is a bowl of water inside the
oven while you run it.

N.B.  What causes sterility?  Physical dysfunction and incorrect genetic
behavior in the testes.  Microwave energy works by exciting the water
molecules, making them wiggle harder, warming what is around them.
I don't see how that could cause either aspect of sterility.  Although
a good dose of microwaves - say from a radar unit - is perfectly capable
of steaming your brain up.

:r .signature
Keith
U of Ill Mech Eng
uiucdcs!uiucme!keith

lanoitnetninu ylerup si daed ro gnivil nosrep yna ot ecnalbmeseR

"A little unforseen circumstance"    - Florry Knox