is a product that helps to conveniently and quickly heat food. However, when cooking, standing near the microwave has sparked controversy because some people say that doing so is not good for you. Let’s find out if standing near a microwave in operation is safe.
1 Is it safe to stand near a microwave in operation?
Is it safe to stand near a microwave in operation?
Standing near a microwave when it is in operation has caused much controversy and concern about the risk of affecting human health. Although there is no clear evidence of the danger of standing near a microwave at the moment, it should still be approached with caution. The history of the microwave oven begins with World War II, initially many housewives expressed skepticism and fear when using microwaves because this type of radiation technology was still used to detect Nazi bombers. However, later microwaves were developed to quickly and efficiently heat food without causing harm to human health.
The revolution in microwave design in the 1940s helped reduce exposure and radiation leakage to users. Thanks to these improvements, microwaves have become more popular and user-friendly. However, standing near a microwave in operation still poses some potential risks. Although there have been improvements to ensure safety, there are still radiations created during the operation of microwaves and the risk of leakage into the surrounding environment. Although the level of danger may not be significant, it is advisable to avoid standing near a microwave when it is in operation to ensure the safety of our health.
2 Can microwave radiation harm the body?
Can microwave radiation harm the body?
Microwave radiation can affect the human body similarly to how it cooks food. Microwaves create a thermal effect and cook food by stimulating the water molecules in the food to move faster and stronger.
It is worth noting that the human body contains over 70% water, so close contact with a microwave can pose a risk of severe burns. The most sensitive parts to this radiation are usually the vitreous humor in the eyes and the testes in males. The US Food and Drug Administration has warned of potential risks when using microwaves, including the risk of skin burns, cataracts, and temporary infertility.
Pregnant women and children need to pay special attention to this issue. Although there is no specific medical evidence recommending that pregnant women avoid using microwaves for cooking, it is recommended to be more cautious when facing an old or malfunctioning microwave. Healthcare professionals may advise on limiting microwave use during pregnancy due to insufficient information about its safety.
However, microwave radiation belongs to the non-ionizing type similar to radiation from mobile phones. This means that it does not change the molecular structure of substances. Moreover, microwaves produce less energy than infrared radiation, a type of heat that our bodies naturally produce. According to the guidelines of the US Department of Agriculture, even when the food is taken out of the microwave, the radiation is not harmful to the body. They allow microwaves to leak 5 mW/cm2 during operation, and manufacturers also need to ensure that the microwave door glass prevents radiation leakage. Therefore, with new microwaves and no leakage issues, you can use them without worrying too much about radiation risks.
3 How to prevent radiation leakage from microwaves
How to prevent radiation leakage from microwaves
To prevent radiation leakage from microwaves, there are some measures to take and precautions when using this device:
- Check the safety of the microwave by placing a piece of paper in the microwave door slot, close the door, and then pull the paper out. If the paper easily comes out of the slot, it is possible that the microwave is not sealed properly and may leak radiation. In this case, consider replacing the microwave with a new one. The metal layer around the microwave glass is an important part to prevent radiation leakage.
- Keep a safe distance when using the microwave. Avoid close contact with the microwave door and keep at least one step away (about 30 cm). Microwave radiation decreases rapidly with distance, so maintaining a safe distance will reduce the risk of radiation exposure.
- Check the condition of the microwave to ensure that it works properly and shows no signs of malfunction. If you own an old microwave, consider buying and replacing it with a new one.
Above are the information about whether standing near a microwave in operation is safe that we have compiled. Hopefully, with this article, you will be able to avoid unwanted issues when cooking caused by the microwave affecting your health!
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