Microwaves Kill Bacteria

Microwaves Kill Bacteria

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/health/27real.html

Microwaving your sponge will actually kill harmful bacteria that can cause food-borne illnesses. Numerous studies have been done on this subject. Most bacteria are killed within the first 15 seconds of being microwaved. Other more resiliant bacterial, like E. coli, will survive up to 30 seconds. But this can be a dangerous operation. Unless the sponge is damp, it has been known to start on fire. It is reccomended not to place your sponge in microwave, but buy a new one; it is much safer.

Microwaves are a form of electromagentic waves. Water absorbs the energy from the electromagnetic waves and aligns itself with them, this is because water is a polar molecule. This molecular movement causes heat. This process is what kills the bacteria.