Decorative Magnets on Refrigerators (Cancer Warning)

[Adrian Wong]

Dashken sent me this e-mail a couple of days ago, asking me what I thought about it. Right away, I knew it was yet another hoax. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out actually - 99% of all such "warning" e-mails are hoaxes. Check it out :

A number of researchers at Princeton's University have discovered something scary!.

For several months, they were feeding two groups of mice: the first group with food kept in a refrigerator, and the second group with food kept in a refrigerator as well but with several decorative magnets on the door.

The objective of this experiment was to see how electromagnetic radiation (that coming out from the decorative magnets on the door) affect food items. Amazingly, rigorous clinical studies stated that the group of mice that consumed the "radiated" food had as much as 87% higher probability to get cancer than the other group of mice.

Inexplicably no Governments or health associations/institutions have given any statement on this regard. However and just in case, is recommendable to remove any decorative magnet from refrigerators, and put it far away from any food.

Well, since I have a little time today, I thought I would spend a little of it debunking this stupid e-mail.

1. There is NO SUCH STUDY by Princeton.

2. Magnets do NOT produce radiation.

3. Decorative magnets are permanent magnets with rather weak magnetic fields. If you slam your fridge's door hard enough, many will fall off. That's how weak they generally are.

4. The strength of magnetic fields decreases very rapidly with distance. In fact, placing a piece of cardboard between the magnet and the fridge door is usually enough to prevent the magnet from sticking to the door.

Therefore, how can decorative magnets have ANY effect on food stored in the refrigerator? Even if you attach a really strong magnet to the fridge door, the magnetic field will not extend far enough into the fridge to affect any food stored inside.

Also, magnetic fields have no discernable or permanent effects on the human body. We use extremely large and powerful magnets in MRI machines and barring the presence of magnetic substances in the body (implants, tattoo inks), it's extremely safe to use.

Interestingly, refrigerators use magnets to keep the doors closed, and their electric motors have magnets that generate electromagnetic fields. These are certainly closer in distance to the stored food, and stronger than any decorative magnet.

Finally, the reason why there is no statement about this "danger" by any government or health authority is because there is NO SUCH DANGER!

Don't let this e-mail put a dent in your creativity. Have fun decorating your fridge door with decorative magnet!

[Ishtim]

This is a good one... I despise the "fridge" being covered with magnets for the sake of clutter, but EMF?

This reminds me of the study relating to cows under powerlines or having a cellphone in your pocket or against your head.

Also reminds me of the "public's" view on X-ray exposure @ the Doctor's office, but not even mention it while in high altitude flight on airplanes.

I guess the lack of education makes the hoaxes possible.

[The_YongGrand]

That is why those mail should be in the Junk mail in many email accounts. The whole of that "warning" emails doesn't even make sense!

[Adrian Wong]

The thing is I cannot understand why people would waste their time coming up with such nonsense... They really have NBTD (Nothing Better To Do)!