A lot has been written about the dangers of microwaves. The question is where the truth is and where it is not. After all, we have been using these household appliances for a long time, their convenience is undeniable, and proven examples of danger are absent. If we talk about electromagnetic radiation, the quality microwaves Midea and products of other brands create it in minimal volumes. Other myths about terrible and terrible microwave ovens have also been debunked. Let’s turn to the opinion of experts about how truthful stories about the problems of these household appliances.
Key concerns
The main essence of the fear that microwaves are harmful, boils down to ignorance of the laws of physics. They give the most accurate explanation of exactly how the device works, where the waves are sent, and what features they have.
Yes, the appliance is not 100% safe, but it can be said about any technical device. To minimize risks and not to be afraid on level ground, you need to study theory.
Any electrical appliance, depending on its type, creates one type of radiation – low-frequency or high-frequency. High frequencies emit:
- Cell towers and mobile phones;
- radios (including babysitting);
- Wi-Fi routers.
- Low-frequency sources:
- Fixtures;
- Almost all household appliances;
- Electrical wiring, power cables;
- Transformers
- cable electric lines.
The microwave emits high-frequency radiation with industrial indicators up to 50 Hz. In the case of the devices, there is a built-in magnetron – they produce pulses.
How the microwave works
The main concerns of consumers about the dangers of microwaves are related to the way water is heated. The process involves an increase in temperature in the product itself, and not from the walls of plates, containers, other containers. Water molecules absorb microwave rays, then transform them into thermal energy. Microwaves lead to rotation of molecules: first, they move on surfaces, then in the depths of products. Features of the heating process make the microwaves popular for heating liquids and foods high in water.
Cooking and heating dishes takes much less time than using a water bath or pan on the stove and in the oven. As a result, the products retain a maximum of vitamins, nutrients, and in an easily digestible form. Therefore, microwave food is definitely useful and certainly no worse than the one that was prepared in the usual way.
There is another misconception. Some users say that once the products are minimally thermally processed, bacteria and other dangerous microorganisms may remain in them. This is not true, as the presence of bacteria often determines only the initial freshness of the product and its preparation for cooking. Do not buy low quality food – especially meat, fish. Vegetables and fruits before cooking thoroughly rinse.
In addition, ultra-high-frequency radiation is perfectly shielded. This is a significant difference from the work of devices with industrial frequency. If the device’s door is intact, it will be tightly closed. The radiation of the microwave, in this case, is not dangerous, and there will be no harm to the products.
Myths and reality
To prove the harm caused by microwave ovens, different sources use their list of arguments. These are mainly the results of research, designed in the spirit of “scientists proved.” At the same time, there are no references to original scientific works and specific publications in scientific communities. And if there is no access to sources of research, materials of the completed works, then it makes no sense to talk about the reliability of such analyses.
The same can be said about articles with scientific terms. They are often populist, describe impossible processes, affect irrelevant or simply unrealistic experiments. Thus, the term “molecular rot” is common, which means the destruction of water and food molecules under the influence of high temperatures. In science, such a concept does not exist, and to cite it as the main argument in questions about the dangers of technology is like writing a formula “2”2″5″ and then asking to believe in its correctness at the word.
Some sources report that microwaves cause water molecules to rupture. Let’s think about how much this is possible in principle. The school chemistry course suggests that the water molecule includes a set of atoms – one oxygen and a pair of hydrogen. The decomposition of the structure to two gases (oxygen and hydrogen) is in theory possible, but under harsh conditions that must be fully observed. The main ones are temperature over 1000 degrees, the presence of ionizing radiation, exposure to direct electric current. All this is not the microwave oven, so water molecules will not decompose.
And yet, about the harm
The real disadvantages of the household appliance have. It is a powerful source of magnetic radiation, creating constantly elevated frequencies (industrial scale – and this is in everyday life). According to the given parameter, the microwave can be compared with the line of electrical transmissions, transformer substation. Therefore, there are rules that give safety when handling the device.
Conditions to be observed when operating a microwave to minimize health damage:
- Do not sit and stand near a working stove;
- The minimum safe distance from the radiation zone is 2 meters;
- it is impossible to place an oven through the wall in front of the head of the bed, especially the nursery.
Also for cooking, heating food you need to use a special dish. Plastic containers and other containers are not suitable – even if there is a microwave badge. Polymers release hazardous substances into the environment when heated. It is safe for microwave ovens glassware, ceramics with glazed coating. The presence of metal elements, drawings is undesirable. A good option would be to use transparent containers with thick glass walls. Pure, devoid of a layer of glaze ceramics can crack, and thin glass often bursts when heated. If cracks and chipped cracks have formed on glass containers during operation, they should no longer be used.
For those who have decided to use the microwave, despite the cons and all sorts of “but”, we recommend:
- Carefully examine the instructions to operate, observe safety measures.
- Do not violate the installation rules, which indicated in the manual of operation of the manufacturer of equipment. Be sure to set the microwave away from other household appliances, make sure that the vent does not block anything.
- If glass and/or hull defects, do not turn on the device.
- You can’t open the door during the work cycle – first, take a break.
- The amount of food that is allowed for one-time loading does not exceed.
- You can’t turn on an empty microwave.
- Regularly wash the device without abrasives with a soft sponge to preserve the integrity of the protective decorative layer.
