Microwaves cause cancer

Question

Microwaves do not cause cancer because the radiation they emit is non-ionizing meaning it is not strong enough to damage any cells or DNA. An example of ionizing radiation that does cause cancer would be an X-ray such as the ones used at the doctors office. There is not much information, but there is ongoing research regarding the potential health risks caused by the radiation emitted from microwave use

Comments

I agree with your claim, but I'm interested to see if non-ionizing radiation can't "damage" cells is there some other side effect or change that takes place due to exposure?

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This fact check is very concise, however, I think it would make it even better if you added cited quotations from the source you found! I think that it would further strengthen your point if you also had more than one source.

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Your claim and header do not line up, which can be misleading. The source provided is trustworthy and informative.

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The description of your fact check is accurate and summarized your source well, but it would be better and more concise if the title matches your claim. Your claim title seemed to be completely opposite from the source's main idea, since the fact is that "microwaves do not cause cancer because the radiation they emit is non-ionizing". The source is reliable, it's not only published from the National Library of Medicine, but also written by professionals in the health and science area relating to radiations.

Answer 1

The title is misleading because the claim contradicts the author's findings. However, their brief explanation of their research is correct because microwaves do not cause cancer. The conspiracy that microwaves cause cancer is one I have heard many times growing up, yet it never persuaded me from using them. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports in the article, “Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer,” that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields, or ELF-EMF, such as microwaves, cannot cause cancer or “damage DNA or cells directly” (NCI 2022). The only possibility of a microwave causing bodily harm is when the microwave itself is damaged, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its article, “Microwave Ovens.” When a microwave is in good condition, “microwave energy will not leak” (FDA 2023). Whereas, if a microwave has damage to its door hinges, latches, or seals, or if the door does not open or close properly” (FDA 2023), do not use it in case energy is exposed. Therefore, this myth has been busted, as both government websites confirm microwaves do not cause cancer. 

Sources: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet#top 

https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/resources-you-radiation-emitting-products/microwave-ovens#Have_Radiation_Injuries_Resulted_from_Microwave_Ovens_