Microwaves | Academic Papers Help

Microwaves

The microwave is fast becoming a handy household appliance, with its use becoming more and more widespread there are a number of factors that must be considered. A huge composition of the materials that go into the manufacture of microwaves is usually metal. Considering that metal is mostly mined before being refined, pollution actually occurs at two three levels when it comes to the manufacture of microwaves. For one, in order to obtain the metals, a grueling mining process usually has to be undertaken, a factor which normally leads to pollution of the air. In addition, refining the mined mineral or metal also consumes time as well as effort. Furthermore, it also results in the increased consumption of electric copper wires, which also similar to metal, take a long time to manufacture, as well as glass that is usually used in the manufacture of the interface as well as the plate usually found within such products. Similarly, after their manufacture, microwaves usually result in increased electricity consumption, as well as increased externalities usually associated with electricity usage. Amongst the direct or indirect effects of such an extended use of electricity usually results in a greater carbon footprint and thus further degradation of the environment. In order to produce electricity, coal is at times used as fuel, while at other times, the carbon emissions come about due to the burning the burning of fossil fuels also results in a situation in which the depletion of the ozone layer continues, while at the same time increasing the levels of green house gases within the environment. Furthermore, microwaves usually emit radiations which it is hypothesized cause a number of health concerns, if this is the case, then microwaves might actually cause a variety of health concerns for which the public ends up paying in the form of health insurance.
In addition therefore to the externalities that come with the manufacture of microwaves, its usage also poses a number of environmental risks. For instance, during use, a microwave actually pollutes the air with microwave radiations that are potentially harmful to those involved, while at the same time can result in temporary sterility as well as cataract development. These potential health effects all translate into medical bills that are either paid for by the individual or by the public. In cases where one does not have health insurance, medical costs are a major headache that may at times in extreme cases even lead to significant lifestyle changes due to the debilitating nature of the health outcomes or simply due to the financial outlay the family parts with due to hospital bills.
In order to reflect the true costs of microwaves, it would perhaps be necessary for the government to regulate the pricing of microwaves to reflect its potentially harmful nature. Due to the handy nature of the gadget, the only way to control its usage would be for the government to price it way above the market value, in a way that ensure a significant number of individuals or households are unable to afford it. Further, stricter FDA approval requirements as well as other regulatory roadblocks may actually increase production costs and serve to independently drive up prices to reflect the true costs of microwaves, more so in terms of the increased environmental damage as well as the health costs.