microwaves

[blackeyed]

Are microwaves dangerous,especially when reheating?

[leyaenda]

Of course they are.They are a source of radiation.Thats why a microwave oven with a damaged door seal should be checked and if leaking microwaves it should be replaced.

[leyaenda]

A microwave oven passes (non-ionizing) microwave radiation (at a frequency near 2.45 GHz) through food.


When injury from exposure to microwaves occurs, it usually results from dielectric heating induced in the body. Exposure to microwave radiation can produce cataracts by this mechanism, because the microwave heating denatures proteins in the crystalline lens of the eye (in the same way that heat turns egg whites white and opaque) faster than the lens can be cooled by surrounding structures. The lens and cornea of the eye are especially vulnerable because they contain no blood vessels that can carry away heat. Exposure to heavy doses of microwave radiation (as from an oven that has been tampered with to allow operation even with the door open) can produce heat damage in other tissues as well, up to and including serious burns which may not be immediately evident because of the tendency for microwaves to heat deeper tissues with higher moisture content.

[carrot99]

i'm truly impressed leyaenda - you've been hiding your light under a bushel haven't you?

[blackeyed]

i know that a damaged microwave is dangerous might even be potentially deadly but a microwave which is functioning properly with no leaks dangerous as well(provided that it is not used excessively)for reheating purposes?if they are really dangerous then why are they officially allowed?i m not talking about being exposed to microwave radiation,my question is only for food which is reheated.

[vascop]

Well yes, just like any other form of re-heating, if you don't heat the food to a high enough temperature then the bacteria are waiting to get you. But this is true for any form of re-heating and has nothing to do with microwaves as such.
I'm not sure what the guidelines are for this, but there maybe something in the instruction booklet.

[R1Geezer]

Microwave ovens are especially dangerous when combined with gravity.