ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS OF RADIATION EMISSION FROM MICROWAVE OVEN AMONG THE USERS OF MICROWAVE OVEN IN ENUGU URBAN

INTRODUCTION

It is possible that millions of people are ignorantly sacrificing their health in exchange for the convenience of microwave ovens. Why did the Soviet Union ban the use of microwave in 1976? Who invented microwave and why1, the answers to these questions may shock you into throwing your microwave oven in the trash.

Microwaves are radiations. They are classified as non-ionizing radiation. Radiation which can change the position of an atom but is not strong enough to alter their structure, composition or proportions, even though non-ionizing radiation is not enough to alter the structure of an atom, it is still able to cause physical alternations. A clear example of how non-ionizing radiation can harm you is the damage caused to your skin and eyes by the sun. Therefore when you are using microwaving cooking, you are exposing yourself to microwave oven radiation3. Tissue directly exposed to microwave oven are subjected to the same deformities molecule go through and this can in turn cause you to experience microwave sickness. People may experience any or all of these signs after being exposed to high level of microwave radiation such as impaired cognition, nausea, vision problem, depression, irritability, weakened immune system, headache, dizziness, Insomnia, disturbance and frequent urination4.

One short term study found significant and disturbing changes in the blood of individuals consuming microwave milk and vegetables. Food process through microwave ovens causes change in the blood of an individual. It decreases hemoglobin level and increases cholesterol level5.

The in-depth research conducted by the Russians discovered the biological effect which microwave oven poses. The results were staggering enough which led to ban of microwave oven by the Soviet Union due to the following findings:

• Carcinogenic substances were formed from the microwaving of nearly all the food tested.

• Microwaving milk and grains results in carcinogenic substances being formed through the conversion of crimon acid.

• Microwaving prepared meats caused cancer – causing agent such as d-Nitroodienthanol amines to form.

• Microwaving fruit as a method of thawing resulted in the conversion of glucoside and galactoside functions into carcinogenic substances.

Despite these comprehensive studies, eight percent of the UK’s populations are still using microwave oven6. Is it not the time more researches are done into the effects they have on us and food we put into them?

Finally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulated the manufacture of microwave ovens since 1971 on the basis of current knowledge about microwave radiation. The agency believes those microwave ovens that meet the FDA standards are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions are safe to use