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REFERENCES: 1, P. Brodeur, The Zapping of America, W.W. Norton, New York, 1977, 2. Ibid., p. 13. 3. KR. Foster and A.W, Guy, The Microwave Problem’, Scientific American, vol. 255, no. 3, 1986, pp. 29-30. 4, R. Bowers and J. Frey, Technology Assessment and Microwave Diodes’, Scientific American, vol. 226, no. 2, 1972, p. 21. 5. P, Brodeur, p. 7. 6. NJ. Roberts and S.M. Michaelson, Epidemiological Studies of Human Exposures to Radio Frequency Radiation’, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, vol. 56, 1985, p. 175. 7. P. Brodeur, p. 77. 8. R.O. Becker and G, Selden, The Body Electric, Mommow, New York, 1985, p. 305. 9. KR. Foster and A.W. Guy, p. 31. 10. D.S. Rosenthal and S.C. Beering, ‘Hypogonadism After Microwave Radiation’, Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 205, no. 4, p. 247. 11. M.M. Zaret and W.Z, Snyder, ‘Cataracts in Aviation Environments’, The Lancet, 26 February 1977, p. 484. 12. D.S. Rosenthal and S.C. Beering. 13. M.N. Sadchikova, ‘Clinical Manifestations of Reactions to Microwave Irradiation in Various Occupational Groups' in P. Czerski et al., eds, Biological Effects and Health Hazards of Microwave Radiation, Polish Medical Publishers, Warsaw, 1974, pp. 261-7. 14. See for example S. Baranski and P. Czerski, Biological Effects of Microwaves, Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Stroudsburg, Pa., 1976. 15. S.A. Forman, C.K. Holmes et al., ‘Psychological Symptoms and Intermittent Hypertension Following Acute Microwave Journal of Occupational Medicine, vol. 24, no. 11, 1982, pp. 932-4, 16. P. Brodeur, p. 81, 17. MM. Zaret, 'Sublethal Exposure to Microwave Radar’, Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 259, no. 21, 1988, p. 3130. 18. P. Brodeur, ch. 5. 19. F.C. Hallows and J.B. Douglas, ‘Microwave Cataract in Radiolinemen and Controls’, The Lancet, 18 August 1984, pp. 406-7. 20. R.C, Petersen, ‘Bioeffects of Microwaves: A Review of Current Knowledge’, Journal of Occupational Medicine, vol. 25, no. 2, 1983, pp. 107-8. See also Foster and Guy, p. 35. 21. K.R. Foster and A.W. Guy, pp. 33-4. 22. J.H. Heller and A:A. Teixeira-Pinto, ‘A New Physical Method of Creating Chromosomal Aberrations’; Nature, 28 March 1959, pp. 905-6. 23.. P. Brodeur, p. 90. 24. A. Leonard, AJ. Berteaud and A. Bruyere, ‘An Evaluation of the Mutagenic, Carcinogenic and Teratogenic Potential of Microwaves’, Mutation Research, vol. 123, 1983, p. 36. 25. Ibid., p. 38. See also S. Baranski and P. Czerski, p. 133. 26. Ch. Roux, E. Elefant et al., ‘Association of Microwaves and Ionizing Radiation: Potentiation of Teratogenic Effects on the Rat’, Radiation Research, vol. 108, 1986, p. 323. 27. AT. Sigler, A.M. Lilienfeld et al., ‘Radiation Exposure in Parents of Children with Mongolism (Down's syndrome)’, Bulletin of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, vol. 117, 1965, pp. 374-99. 28. S.M. Michaelson, ‘Health Implications of Exposure to Radio Frequency/Microwave Energies’, British Journal of Industrial Medicine, vol. 39, 1982, p. 112. See also Brodeur, p. 134, et seq. 29. M.M. Zaret 30. R. Bowers and J. Frey, p. 14. 31. P. Brodeur, pp. 310-12. 32. C.W. Smith and S. Best, Electromagnetic Man, J.M. Dent and Sons, London, 1989, p. 178. 33. A. Leonard et al., pp. 41-2. 34, K.B. Murray, ‘Hazard of Microwave Ovens to Transdermal Delivery System’, New England Journal of Medicine, 15 March 1984, p. 721. 35. B. Messenger and B. Lehmann, ‘West Germany Set for Microwave Boom’, Food Business, 19 June 1989, p. 40. 36. M. Doyle, The Microwave Revolution Hits Home’, Food Business, 24 July 1989, p. 12. The development of microwave ovens came as an expected spin-off from the rapidly developing post-war microwave technol- ogy, and the first commercial ovens were produced around 1962. These ovens use a magnetron tube to produce a microwave fre- quency of 2.45 gigahertz at an energy output of between 400 and 900 watts for a typical domestic unit. The oven power supply is designed to deliver 4000 volt negative pulses to the magnetron, which makes it the most dangerous power supply in any item of domestic equipment. The frequency chosen corresponds to the absorption peak for water, and thereby enables foods containing water to be heated quickly and efficiently. The microwaves are beamed from the magnetron into the oven compartment holding the food where they are contained. Microwave ovens are not per- mitted to leak microwaves at a power density level of more than 5 milliwatts per square centimetre at a distance of 5 centimetres from the outside of the oven. Thus small leaks below this Ievel may occur and substantially contribute to the electronic smog in the home or office. Medical hazards reported to be associated with microwave ovens include burns, cataract formation, neurologic injury and pacemaker dysfunction.* Despite the publication of these reports, microwave oven sales have continued to soar, reflecting the ever-increasing hold of tech- nology on society. In 1987, 11 per cent of West German, 35 per cent of English and 66 per cent of US households had microwave ovens. It has been forecast that the percentage of microwave households in the US will rise to 90 per cent by the mid-1990s.* These rises parallel the increasing percentage of women in the work force and decreasing family size in many Western countries. In the words of M. Doyle, president of The Consumer Network in the United States, "There's a new kind of eater, buyer and user evolving, and there's a revolution against kitchen work and any kind of hassle anywhere. Time is so precious that "quality time” is afforded with our families not in front of the warm hearth, but around the microwave."”* It is difficult to entirely avoid exposure to microwave radiation. Local government agencies may be able to provide details of microwave high intensity corridors. Living in these corridors and near radar should be avoided. There are some other things you can do to minimise the health tisk to you and your children. If you have a microwave oven and intend to go on using it, have it checked immediately and regularly for leaks. Microwave oven doors are especially prone to leakage. Do not open the door while the oven is on. Try to avoid microwave cooking of frozen foods and commercially prepared dinners whenever possible. One additional worry is that the most recently targeted market segment for microwave-ready cuisine is young children, with some microwave cooks reported to be only five or six years old. While the children's microwave meal market in the US already consti- tutes in excess of $100 million in annual sales, the health cost to the population may be far greater. Exposing young, still develop- ing children to low level microwaves from potentially leaky or misused ovens is a business too risky to be in. ies alles. hl oe Se ee 5 Similarly, the health risks for young children associated with the long-term eating of microwaved food are unknown and may prove to be yet another disaster in the name of economic growth and blinded commercialism. Given the unknown variables in this mat- ter, we believe it prudent for parents to discourage growing chil- dren from using microwaves and to minimise the quantity of microwaved food eaten. ri NEXUSe19 MICROWAVE OVENS: IRRADIATING OUR FOOD AT HOME WHAT WE CAN DO FEBRUARY-MARCH '93