The debate about whether or not there is harm from the microwave has been going on for years. The media write that a microwave oven has a harmful effect on the body, radiation is dangerous to health. You can say a lot, but not every journal can provide scientific evidence and evidence. Surely you heard dozens of different opinions, but did not come to a conclusion.
We suggest finding out whether it is possible to use a microwave oven, whether it is dangerous to humans, whether there is radiation in it, etc. The review presents the opinion of experts: we will find out the truth and destroy myths.
Enemy or friend: what does science say about the effect of microwaves on a person
Why is it easy to believe loud headlines that a microwave or mobile phone is causing cancer? The point is the frightening word “radiation”. We immediately imagine nuclear power plants and irradiation, although in fact the radiation is different.
Two types of radiation are distinguished: ionizing and non-ionizing. An example of the first is gamma rays, they are used in industry, at nuclear plants. These rays are strong enough to damage DNA — to remove an electron from a molecule — and cause cancer.
A non-ionizing study is microwaves and radio waves, and microwaves and telephones emit them during operation. This radiation is not able to damage DNA and lead to cancer.
The American Cancer Society in May 2016 released a review article that summarized research on various types of radiation. It says that microwave ovens do not make food radioactive, as they do not change its structure. They make water molecules vibrate, heating them.
You can read more about how the microwave works in one of the previous articles.
Manufacturers limit the level of microwaves to a level that is much lower than potentially dangerous to humans. Technique will select them only during operation. Outside, they do not leak out if there is no damage to the case. Defective stoves cause mainly burns. There is no evidence of an increased risk of cancer when using the microwave.
Why does WHO call non-ionizing radiation “a possible carcinogen,” what does this mean?
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not say that microwave is unequivocal “safe”, not because there is hidden evidence of harm. There is no evidence of danger, but there is also no evidence of complete harmlessness. Scientists cannot categorically declare the absence of risks, because there is not enough data.
It has been proven that being near the 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 food from the microwave affects health is unknown.
Studies have been conducted in which there was a connection between such food and poor health. But these conclusions were made in very small groups (up to 10 people) and were not confirmed repeatedly.
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 on the dangers of microwave ovens is that they were banned in the USSR. In fact, back in 1941, Soviet scientists published their research on the "new method of cooking meat."
Mass production began in the 1970s, but microwaves remained a scarce commodity with little demand. You can come across 80s models that still work.
In the photo "Electronics" 1984 release:
Many mothers trust the opinion of the famous doctor-pediatrician, candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category Evgeny Komarovsky. In one of the telecasts, he explained in an accessible language that all the arguments against the microwave are myths. Evgeny Olegovich claims that the microwave oven is safe even for young children, and the waves in the products cannot harm the kids.
Komarovsky believes that there is only one danger: a child may get burned with hot or unevenly heated food. Therefore, the doctor recommends that adults themselves warm their children food, not allowing the kids to use the microwave oven, even if it is easy to operate.
Evgeny Olegovich also carried the myth of the loss of vitamins “to smithereens”, justifying that any heating selects part 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. A quick heat treatment, on the contrary, is useful because it kills bacteria. No wonder the microwave oven is used to sterilize cans.
More details on the page "How to sterilize cans in the microwave."
With regard to the decay of the structure, science has an opinion: microwave energy does not lead to the decay of molecules.
But what about being nearby? It turns out that this is also a lie: the fraction of waves that seeps out is so small that even from a mobile phone a person receives more harm than from being near a microwave. Modern devices with the right shields and sealed doors are completely safe.
Diseases that dubious buyers are so afraid of. So far, there has not been a single recorded fact of a human disease due to the fault of the microwave oven.
How to reduce harm: for those who doubt
Is it possible to heat food with minimal harm? If the lists above do not scare you, follow the recommendations to minimize the negative impact of the device:
- Install the appliance on a flat surface (use a level for accuracy).
- It is important that the oven is 90 cm higher from the floor.
- Keep a distance of 15 cm between the equipment and the walls of the room (kitchen unit).
- Make sure that at least 10 cm is left from the device to the edge of the surface.
- Leave free space around the ventilation slots - do not place other household appliances or lay napkins on the cover of the device.
- Do not turn on the equipment if the camera is empty. On the page “What happens if you turn on the empty microwave” you will find comprehensive answers to the question “Why?”.
- The minimum weight is not less than 200 g. Do not waste one sandwich for nothing, so you won’t achieve anything, only disable the equipment faster.
- 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 tear the door. Or, taking an egg in your hands after processing, you risk that it will “tear” right in the palms of your hands.
Admire what an innocent egg turns into and don't experiment.
Metal utensils, porcelain or ceramic plates with gold borders (patterns) can cause sparking, fire and even explosion - experts say.
This video shows what happens to the metal inside the camera.
Do not want the consequences? Be careful when choosing dishes. Take a look at the pages “Which dishes cannot be heated in the microwave” and “Which dishes can be put in the microwave” to make sure that negligence is dangerous and how to avoid it.
Security check
Do you want to check on your own how harmful the equipment is? You can check for radiation in simple ways:
- In the dark, start the device to work, and position the fluorescent lamp nearby. If the lamp blinks or changes occur in it, it means that there is a wave leak 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. Phoned? This means that the insulation of the device is weak, it does not protect well from radiation.
Perform such an experiment promptly. Do not use an expensive smartphone. Otherwise, something irreparable may happen:
- Boil water in a glass beaker. Water did not boil in 3 minutes? This is leak proof.
- The microwave detector will fully confirm the leak. Put a glass of water in the camera 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 trigger a red flare.
Be careful when experimenting. It is not worth doing this unless absolutely necessary. If you are concerned about the issue of harm, and you don’t know whether microwave vitamins kill, harm products and you, it’s better not to buy a device, take care of your nerves.
Here is a ton of information, draw your own conclusions: believe the arguments of scientists or be safe. The harmfulness of heating or cooking in a microwave oven has not been proven, but they do not bring additional benefits.