Harm from the microwave: unscientific myths and scientific research

The debate about whether there is harm from the microwave has been going on for years. The media write that the microwave oven has a harmful effect on the body, radiation is dangerous to health. Much can be said, but not every journal can provide scientific evidence and evidence. Surely you have heard dozens of different opinions, but have not come to a conclusion.

We offer you to find out if it is possible to use a microwave oven, is it dangerous for humans, does it contain radiation, etc. The review presents the opinion of experts: we will find out the truth and destroy the myths.

Enemy or friend: what science says about the effect of microwaves on humans

Why is it easy to believe the big headlines that microwaves or mobile phones cause cancer? The point is the frightening word “radiation”. We immediately imagine nuclear power plants and radiation, although in reality radiation is different.

There are two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing. An example of the first is gamma rays, they are used in industry, at nuclear power plants. These beams are powerful enough to damage DNA—remove an electron from a molecule—and cause cancer.

Non-ionizing study – microwaves and radio waves, they are emitted during the operation of microwaves and telephones. This radiation is not capable of damaging DNA and leading to cancer.

The American Cancer Society released a review article in May 2016 summarizing research on different types of radiation. It states that microwave ovens do not make food radioactive because they do not change its structure. They make the water molecules vibrate, heating them up.

You can read more about how a microwave oven works in one of the previous articles.

Manufacturers limit the level of microwaves to levels that are far below what is potentially harmful to humans. Technique will allocate them only during operation. Outside, they do not leak, if there is no damage to the body. Faulty stoves cause mainly burns. There is no evidence of an increased risk of cancer with microwave use.

Why does the WHO call non-ionizing radiation a “possible carcinogen”, what does this mean?

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not say unequivocally “safe” about microwaves, not because there are hidden data about harm. There is no evidence of danger, but there is also no evidence of complete harmlessness. Scientists cannot categorically state that there are no risks because there is not enough data.

It has been proven that being near a microwave will not lead you to cancer. But there is concern that some forms of non-ionizing radiation may have biological effects, indirectly causing malignant tumors. Whether microwaves belong to them, whether microwave food affects health, is unknown.

Studies have been conducted that have noted the relationship between such food and poor health. But these conclusions were made on very small groups (up to 10 people) and were not confirmed again.

You can read the full report on the American Cancer Society website and decide whether or not to buy a microwave.

Destroying myths

One of the main myths that can be found in articles about the dangers of microwave ovens is that they were banned in the USSR. In fact, back in 1941, Soviet scientists published their research on “a new way of cooking meat.”

Mass production began in the 1970s, but microwave ovens remained a scarce commodity with little demand. You can find models from the 80s that still work.

In the photo “Electronics” 1984 release:

Many mothers trust the opinion of the famous pediatrician, candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category Evgeny Komarovsky. In one of the TV shows, he explained in an accessible language that all the arguments against microwaves are myths. Evgeny Olegovich claims that the microwave oven is safe even for small children, and the waves in the products cannot harm the kids.

Komarovsky believes that there is only one danger: a child can get burned by hot or unevenly heated food. Therefore, the doctor recommends adults to heat children’s food themselves, not allowing babies to use the microwave oven, even if it is easy to operate.

The myth about the loss of vitamins, Evgeny Olegovich also smashed it to smithereens, arguing that any heating takes away some of the nutrients and nutrients, so the process is tantamount to processing on a stove or in an oven.

About carcinogens Komarovsky said one thing: “fiction.” His opinion is that trans fats and carcinogens can appear in food after processing in oil. And fast heat treatment, on the contrary, is useful because it kills bacteria. No wonder the microwave oven is used to sterilize jars.

Read more on the page “How to sterilize jars in the microwave.”

Regarding the decay of the structure, science has an opinion: microwave energy does not lead to the decay of molecules.

What about being nearby? It turns out that this is also a lie: the proportion of waves that leaks out is so small that even a person receives more harm from a mobile phone than from being near a microwave. Modern devices with the right protective screens and sealed doors are absolutely safe.

Diseases that suspicious buyers are so afraid of. So far, there is not a single recorded fact of human disease due to the fault of a microwave oven.

How to reduce harm: for those who doubt

Is it possible to reheat food with minimal harm? If the lists above do not scare you, follow these guidelines to minimize the negative impact of your device:

1. Install the appliance on a level surface (use a level for accuracy).
2. It is important that the stove is 90 cm higher from the floor.
3. Maintain a distance of 15 cm between the appliances and the walls of the room (kitchen set).
4. Make sure that at least 10 cm remain from the device to the edge of the surface.
5. Leave free space around the ventilation slots – do not place other household appliances or place tissues on the cover of the device.
6. Do not turn on the equipment if the chamber is empty. On the page “What happens if you turn on an empty microwave” you will find comprehensive answers to the question “Why?”.
7. The minimum weight is not less than 200 g. Do not heat one sandwich in vain, so you will not achieve anything, you will only disable the equipment faster.
8. Need to boil an egg? Use a hob or stove, otherwise it will explode in the microwave oven chamber. The force of the explosion can break the door. Or, taking the egg in your hands after processing, you risk that it will “explode” right in your palms.

Admire what an innocent egg turns into, and don’t experiment.

Metal utensils, porcelain or ceramic plate with a gold border (patterns) can cause sparks, fire and even an explosion, experts say.

This video shows what happens to the metal inside the chamber.

Don’t want consequences? Be careful when choosing dishes. Look at the pages “What dishes can not be heated in the microwave” и What dishes can be put in the microwaveto see what the dangers of negligence are and how to avoid them.

security check

Do you want to check for yourself how harmful the technique is? You can check for radiation in simple ways:

• At night, start the device in operation, and place a fluorescent lamp nearby. If the lamp flashes or changes in it, then waves are leaking from the housing.
• The second option requires two mobile phones. Put one in the camera, turning it on, and from the second, call the first. Did you get through? This means that the isolation of the device is weak, it does not protect well from radiation.

Do this experiment quickly. Don’t use an expensive smart phone. Otherwise something bad might happen:

• Boil water in a glass beaker. Didn’t the water boil in 3 minutes? This is leak proof.
• A microwave detector will help to fully confirm the leak. Load a glass of water into the chamber and turn on the appliance. Using the detector, walk along the cracks, inspect the corners, ventilation holes. If there is no danger, the light bulb will not change color. Waves flow out – the detector will work with a red glare.

Be careful when experimenting. Do not do this unless absolutely necessary. If you are concerned about the issue of harm, and you don’t know if microwaves kill vitamins, harm food and you, it’s better not to buy a device, take care of your nerves.

You have a lot of information in front of you, draw your own conclusions: believe the arguments of scientists or play it safe. The harmfulness of heating or cooking in a microwave oven has not been proven, but they do not bring additional benefits either.