Re: [GBlist] Microwaves - sorta off topic

["Richard Averett" <averettr@norwich.net>]

Marilyn,

The power level falls off with the square of the distance.  In other words,
a few inches can make a BIG difference in exposure levels.  Don't stand at
the window watching food cook, however!

The problem is that there are "a-thermal" effects that occur well below the
power levels at which heat is generated (in tissue), and these (EM Effects)
are not well understood.

Based on their research (from the '50s and 60's), the Russians had
designated a "safety" level  for the general public that was several orders
of magnitude less than that set for US.  In fact, the allowable leakage from
the early microwave ovens (usually highest around the door gaskets) was
quite a bit higher than the "no-effects" level set way-back by the
Russians - and may still be.  Paul Brodeur wrote a book on this, "The
Zapping of America".

While I can't say if the 'fluorescent tube test' is a valid way to determine
a crude emission/leakage level from microwave ovens, this technique DOES
work if trying to determine if the e-field from overhead electrical
transmission lines exceeds the 6-7kV threshold that sets the phosphors
glowing.

Two Notes of Caution:
1) Years ago I heard a researcher discuss his findings involving 2.45Ghz
fields (the frequency of your microwave oven) and increased permeability of
the blood-brain barrier - something that can have ominous as well as
potentially beneficial implications depending on the circumstances;

2)  All cooked food, when eaten, induces the body's immune system to react
(increased white blood cell count) - and microwaved foods cause the greatest
reaction.  This is presumably due to (and proportional to) the destruction
of the food's enzyme content by the cooking method, and thus microwaving is
more effective in destroying food enzyme content than say baking or frying.

While microwaved food may be the utmost of convenience, it may not be the
best way to prepare food with respect to one's own long term health and
well-being.

Richard


----- Original Message -----
From: "Marilyn" <timex@dsl.ca>
To: <greenbuilding@crest.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 1:05 PM
Subject: [GBlist] Microwaves - sorta off topic


> Hi all:
>
> A few days ago there was some comment about using a fluorescent bulb
> for seeing if your microwave oven was leaking.  I passed this tip on to
> some women friends, who now wonder if microwaves bend or bounce.
> Specifically if your microwave oven was leaking at the back, how far
> back will they go, will they 'bounce' off a wall behind and come back at
> whoever is in front, or do they just kind of float around and go
> everywhere?  Do they 'wear out' after a certain distance or do they make
> the whole room/house unsafe?
> >From now on, everyone on the list will be fully aware of my total
> ignorance of things scientific <G> Grade 12 science class was about 40
> yrs ago.
>
> TIA
> marilyn
> Cybercrone
> http://homepages.dsl.ca/~timex/
> Nana korobi, ya oki.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
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>
>



______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________