How far away from the microwave should I stand when it is on?!


Question:

How far away from the microwave should I stand when it is on?


Answers:

My answer is going to be lengthy, because I hope to dispel some fears others obviously have about microwave radiation being a direct cause of irradiation and malignant cancer.

First of all, the word radiation when used in conjunction with microwaves has no relevance to the radiation one experiences when in contact with atomic particles (gamma rays et cetera). Rather, it is referring to electromagnetic radiation, which terminology also includes the visible spectrum. And as one of my Astronomy professors once pointed out, though a microwave emits electromagnetic radiation, you cannot be irradiated by a microwave oven like you can by an atomic detonation.

On of the subject of radiation emitted by a microwave oven, so long as your microwave is in good, working condition, having no compromises to the incorporated shielding, you should be able to hug your microwave for its lifespan of use with no adverse effects.

In simple terms, microwave ovens heat by causing friction between molecules. The electromagnetic field of microwave frequencies causes a rotation of polar molecules and this is known as dielectric heating.

Microwave ovens typically run in the 2.45 GHz range. This is a low frequency, lower than that of visible or infrared light and in fact, microwaves are on the opposite side of the electromagnetic spectrum to cancer-causing radiation (gamma, x, and ultraviolet waves).

Microwave ovens utilize a Faraday cage to prevent microwaves from escaping. The Faraday cage consists of the solid metal walls and that metal mesh in the door of the microwave. The solid walls of course completely prevent the microwaves from escaping. And the holes in the metal mesh are too small for the wavelength (about 12 cm) of the microwave radiation, so most of the waves are unable to get though it, unlike visible light which has a much smaller wavelength.

The U.S. Federal standard for allowed leakage from microwave ovens is 5 milliwatts per square centimeter when measured 2 inches from the surface of the appliance. This is supposedly significantly below the level that is currently considered harmful to humans. In addition, microwave radiation is non-ionizing, unlike that which is ionizing such as X-rays, ultraviolet light, or rays from radioactive particles, et cetera. Only ionizing radiation is conclusively associated with cancer risk, as the ionization actually causes molecular changes/damage (breaks DNA strings), which is not easily repaired. Rather the real conclusive injury one might receive from exposure to microwave radiation is heat-related or from inducement of electrical current in the body.

This is similar to the “danger” of using cell phones, which typically run around 1800 MHz (in/near the microwave range of the electromagnetic spectrum). When these high radio frequencies were initially marketed to HAM radio users, the concern was not cancer, but heat-buildup in human tissues caused by the frequency being used. With sustained usage, Ultra-High Frequencies (UHF) can cause the tissues of the eye to rise in temperature by fractions of a degree, which is a concern because the eye does not have a temperature regulating mechanism. With circulation of the blood in other tissues, heating is not as significant a concern. However, heating of the eye can cause the formation of cataracts and may even cause benign (emphasis on benign) tumors in other tissues.

In general, satellites, radar, WIFI/wireless LAN, some medical equipment, and some television/radio channels use the same Ultra-High and Microwave Frequencies, so even if you stop using your microwave you will still be surrounded by an abundance of these frequencies. Microwave ovens have been shown to cause radio-interference, as many of these other appliances and objects utilize similar frequencies. So you might want to take care when placing your microwave oven, or when using various medical equipment (like Pace Makers) around them.

But with microwave ovens there are other concerns, such as the over-cooking of items causing fire, an empty oven or absence of water (dehydrated food) which can cause damage to components and fire, or the presence of metal objects in the oven which can cause arcing. And when considering these additional things, for general health-sake as one other answerer pointed out, a good safe distance is probably 3-5 feet while the microwave is in operation.

Also take care when removing and consuming items heated in the microwave, as it is possible for these things to experience uneven heating or to even become superheated causing burns. And it would be wise not to use your microwave oven for things outside its design. (Yeah, cooking CDs looks cool, but it can damage your microwave oven.)

As a final note, it is not conclusively proven that heating via microwave radiation degrades the nutritious value of foods more than some conventional methods. (Though, admittedly not everyone agrees on this.) But microwaves do produce acrylamides, which have been shown to consistently produce cancer in rats (so not a direct cancer-causer, but indirectly possible). And the true concern should actually come from the fact that microwave ovens heat unevenly, which might not effectively deal with microbiological issues (bacteria like salmonella).




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