A microwave is a practical kitchen assistant that saves a lot of time. But how dangerous is the radiation from it for our health, and can it really lead to the development of cancer?
Microwave: artificial panic or real danger?
Almost two-thirds of European families have a microwave – and no one plans to part with it, although the danger of microwave heating of food is being discussed every now and then. At the same time, many microwave ovens combine various functions for cooking and can serve as air fryers, steamers, grills … all this makes them universal and convenient devices for the kitchen.
For microwave ovens, technical safety rules apply, as well as for many other electrical appliances. According to the Russian standard, the microwave radiation level should not exceed 5.0 mW * cm² at a distance of half a meter from the furnace.
First of all, the production measures the effect of radiation on what is in the immediate vicinity of the microwave. Particular attention is paid to the gap between the closed door of the furnace and its body: this is where revenge radiation can penetrate.
We checked several office and home microwaves. During the tests (it doesn’t matter if an old or new device was examined), no more than 1% of the maximum permissible radiation was recorded at a distance of five centimeters from the microwave oven. And the farther from the microwave, the less radiation!
Nevertheless, be careful, and while the stove is working, try to be at some distance from it. Defects are not always immediately noticeable, but their appearance (as with any electrical device) can lead to radiation leakage. As for healthy and not damaged devices – they are completely safe.
How does a microwave heat food?
The basis of the microwave oven is the so-called magnetron. Under its influence, the water molecules contained in our food begin to fluctuate. These vibrations create heat and food becomes hot.
Be careful with certain foods.
When reheated, some products change their chemical composition. Particular care should be taken with protein-rich foods. Also, products with a short shelf life can quickly develop harmful bacteria. Exposure to a microwav oven does not kill them, so you have a chance to eat a serving of bacteria along with a preheated product.
Microwav Buying Tips
Check with the seller or manufacturer for the efficiency of the oven. It is he who affects its energy efficiency: the higher, the faster and more evenly the food will heat up. By the way, stoves with rotary tables better distribute heat and allow microwav to evenly affect the entire dish.