The Hazards of Microwave Ovens

Radiation Leakage

• Microwaves can leak radiation, especially if they are damaged. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, "exposure to very high levels of microwave radiation can result in significant amounts of energy being absorbed by the body. Just as with food, this energy is transformed into heat in the body. Sensitive body parts, such as the eyes, testes and brain, are not able to get rid of the extra heat that may build up." Damaging effects of this type of heat may only occur after prolonged exposure to microwave radiation leakage.

Carcinogens in Microwaved Food

• Radiation may also be leaked into food that is microwaved and create carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents, in otherwise healthy food. Health Science listed these results of a study done by Russian researchers, "Microwaving prepared meats sufficiently to ensure sanitary ingestion caused formation of d-Nitrosodienthanolamines, a well-known carcinogen. Microwaving milk and cereal grains converted some of their amino acids into carcinogens. Thawing frozen fruits converted their glucoside and galactoside containing fractions into carcinogenic substances. Extremely short exposure of raw, cooked or frozen vegetables converted their plant alkaloids into carcinogens. Carcinogenic free radicals were formed in microwaved plants, especially root vegetables."

Microwave Ovens and Pacemakers

• Microwave ovens may interfere with pacemakers. The Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety explains, "Because pacemakers are electronic devices, interference from other electrical sources can cause the pacemaker to malfunction and thus send incorrect information to the heart muscles." Properly maintained microwaves will most likely not interfere with the proper functioning of a pacemaker, however.