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Risk of Burns from Eruptions of Hot Water Overheated in Microwave OvensThe FDA has received reports of serious skin burns or scalding injuries around people's hands and faces as a result of hot water erupting out of a cup after it had been over-heated in a microwave oven. Over-heating of water in a cup can result in superheated water (past its boiling temperature) without appearing to boil. This type of phenomena occurs if water is heated in a clean cup. If foreign materials such as instant coffee or sugar are added before heating, the risk is greatly reduced. If superheating has occurred, a slight disturbance or movement such as picking up the cup, or pouring in a spoon full of instant coffee, may result in a violent eruption with the boiling water exploding out of the cup. What Can Consumers Do to Avoid Super-Heated Water?
For Additional Information: Updated November 28, 2007 |
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Center for Devices and Radiological Health / CDRH