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This is a "forward" item I received. I don't know whether or not this is a hoax but I decided to err on the side of caution and forward to you. ------------------------------------------------------- Warning...... HEATING WATER IN MICROWAVE The following information is important for anyone using a microwave oven to heat water. This information should be a topic of discussion at work or at home. Recap of a recent real event: "About two weeks ago, my 26 year old son decided to have a cup of instant coffee. He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something he has done numerous times before). I'm not sure how long he set the timer for, but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil. When the oven timer shut off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into the cup he noticed the water was not boiling but instantly the water in the cup "blew up" in his face. The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand, but all the water had flown out into his face due to the build-up of energy. His whole face is blistered and he has 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face with possible scarring. He also may lose partial sight in his left eye. While at the hospital, the attending doctor stated this a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy, like a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc. It is a much safer choice to boil the water in a kettle on the stove top. Here is what our science teacher had to say on the matter: "Thanks for the microwave warning. I have seen this happen before. It's caused by a phenomenon known as 'super heating'. It can happen any time water is heated and will particularly occur if the vessel the water is heated in is new. What happens is the water heats faster than the vapor bubbles can form. If the cup is very new, then it is unlikely to have small surface scratches inside it provide a place for the bubbles to form. When the bubbles cannot form and release some of the heat has built up, the liquid does not boil, and the liquid continues to heat up well past its boiling point. What usually happens then is the liquid is bumped or jarred, which is just enough of a shock to cause the bubbles to rapidly form and expel the hot liquid. The rapid formation of bubbles is also why a carbonated beverage spews when opened after having been shaken." Please pass this information on to family and friends. It could save a lot of pain and suffering.