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Abby's Magazine - Volume 4 Issue 5 | Page 37 Another problem with microwave ovens is that carcinogenic toxins can leach out of your plas c and paper containers/ covers, and into your food. The January/ February 1990 issue of Nutri on Ac on Newsle er reported the leakage of numerous toxic chemicals from the packaging of common microwavable foods, including pizzas, chips and popcorn. Chemicals included polyethylene terpthalate (PET), benzene, toluene, and xylene. Microwaving fa y foods in plas c containers leads to the release of dioxins (known carcinogens) and other toxins into your food. One of the worst contaminants is BPA, or bisphenol A, an estrogen-like compound used widely in plas c products. In fact, dishes made specifically for the microwave o en contain BPA, but many other plas c products contain it as well. Microwaving distorts and deforms the molecules of whatever food or other substance you subject to it. An example of this is blood products. Blood is normally warmed before being transfused into a person. Now we know that microwaving blood products damages the blood components. In fact, one woman died a er receiving a transfusion of microwaved blood in 1991, which resulted in a well-publicized lawsuit. Microwave Radiation Leakage You may have heard that there is some danger of microwaves escaping from your microwave while it's opera ng. This was more of a risk with earlier models than with recent ones, which undergo more rigorous tes ng. Theore cally, there are very small amounts of radia on leakage through the viewing glass, but the FDA reports these levels are "insignificant" and "well below the level known to harm people." The FDA has been regula ng microwave ovens since 1971 through its electronic product radia on control program, which is mandated by the Electronic Product Radia on Control provisions of the Food Drug and Cosme c Act. The FDA limits the amount of microwaves that can leak from an oven throughout its life me to 5 milliwa s (mW) per square cen meter at approximately 2 inches from the oven surface. Because microwave energy decreases drama cally as you move away from the source of the radia on, a measurement made 20 inches from your oven would be approximately one- hundredth of the value measured at 2 inches. The federal standard also requires all ovens to have "two independent interlock systems that stop the produc on of microwaves the moment the latch is released or the door is opened." And a monitoring system is also required, which stops the opera on if one or both interlock systems fail. You would think, with all these tests and regula ons, that you'd be safe. However, according to Powerwatch, a non-profit independent organiza on with a central role in the microwave radia on debate: "Even when the microwave oven is working correctly, the microwave levels within the kitchen are likely to be significantly higher than those from any nearby cellular phone base-sta ons. Remember also that microwaves will travel through walls if the microwave oven is against an inside wall." Powerwatch also states that we don't really know if the current regula ons about leakage are truly safe and recommends ovens be checked at least annually, since microwave emissions can change with normal use. You might also consider purchasing a $20 tes ng device that allows you to check the radia on in your home. Make sure that, if you are going to use your microwave for cleaning sponges or for any use at all, regularly examine the door and hinges to make sure they are sealing properly. If the door doesn't close correctly, or if it's warped, bent, or otherwise damaged, don't use it at all! But even if there's nothing wrong with your microwave, keep in mind that standing a foot away from it while it's running can expose you to upwards of 400 milliGauss, and a mere 4 milliGauss has been firmly linked to leukemia. It would certainly be wise to avoid le ng your children stand near the