Sqad, And Anyone - What Are Your Thought On This?

[society]

I often use the microwave to cook, and my Mum is constantly nagging / scolding me about radiation and its effects. Is it really harmful to cook or use the microwave daily?

[Prudie]

I'm anyone and I don't know but must admit I always make a point of not standing in front of it when it's on.

[Old_Geezer]

There are plenty who would be concerned about what it does to food, try googling, but I eat it most days and do not believe there is evidence for not doing so.

[Old_Geezer]

PS Prudie, the mesh on the door is fine enough that microwaves aren't going to be an issue to you peering in.

[sunny-dave]

If you mean from the food - then there is no risk at all, ever, none.

If you mean from the appliance then, unless you stand peering with your nose against the window, even a minimal leakage (which is unlikely given the design safeguards in CE badged appliances) will not reach you, let alone harm you.

[woofgang]

Do yous tand in front of it peering in and yelling hurry up? If like most people you set it going and walk away then IMO the risk is minimal.
Cancer Research UK also comes down on the side of he risk being minimal
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/cancer-questions/radiation-microwaves-and-cancer

[society]

O_G, there are so many conflicting opinions from Google, I'm not sure what to believe.

[LCDMAN]

Oh For Funks Sake. if it were a problem then wouldn't the MILLIONS of people all round the world who use microwave ovens daily be dropping dead from cancer left, right and centre. They are perfectly safe.

Get real and find something worth worrying about (famine, poor water, 3rd world infant mortality....)

[woofgang]

society, you need to be choosy what you read. Look for reputable websites like CANCER RESEARCH UK, avoid any site selling cures or preventions or any website that makes cancer/cure prevention claims for everyday foodstuffs or vitamins.

[society]

I don't ever stand in front of the microwave while it's on, I'm usually far away from it.

SunnyD, yes, I'm concerned with the food part. Your answer provided a big relief.

Thanks all of you for your speedy response. x

[Sqad]

From food...........no risk.
From direct radiation.............none, unless you stand in front of the microwave, 12 hours a day everyday.

[snags]

Ping!

[society]

Ping yourself :)


LCDMAN, why so angry?

[Prudie]

I thought millions of people were dropping dead from cancer...OK perhaps not millions

[pixie373]

I doubt there's any harm in using the microwave. Is she more concerned with the nutrition/ quality of microwave meals?

[beckersjay]

You can buy a microwave leakage tester to make sure yours is quite safe to use/stand near

[grasscarp]

Quite often you will read on the food packaging instruction leave to stand for one minute. This is because the molecules continue to move (which is why it has got hot) for a while. I had experience of what happens if you don't let it stand. I bit straight into a pie and had bad pain and indigestion!

[anneasquith]

sqad's an expert on microwaves ? :):)

[Sparkles62]

IMHO I think you are safe to use the microwave, and eat the food cooked in it, just use common sense and don't stand there with your nose pressed against the door.
If it was in any way dangerous, then cafe workers and students all over the world would be dropping like flies. Lol

[David H]

Mobile and cordless phones use microwaves, there is no mesh protector and the waves penetrate an inch or so into our brains every time we use them. I'd be far more worried about that myself.