Are Microwaves Safe?
Are microwaves safe? As with many things – the answer is, “It depends.” Most of our many appliances and gadgets come with specific directions for proper use and safety. So, just like we shouldn’t stick our fingers into a beating mixer blade, we should also take certain precautions when using a microwave oven.
Microwaves and electromagnetic radiation
Microwaves use invisible electromagnetic radiation waves to generate heat. There’s that scary word – radiation. But not so fast. There is a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation waves (normally called electromagnetic fields or EMFs), starting with low frequency (like radio waves), all the way up to, yes, radioactive sources.
Along this spectrum of frequency, we have TVs, cell phones, microwaves, satellites and X-rays. In microwave ovens, these EMF waves cause the molecules in food and beverages to vibrate, which results in heat. Think of it as akin to the heat you generate when you rub your hands together fast.
