Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Risky Is Radiation From Microwave?
Question: Dear Dr. Rynne,
I understand that using microwave ovens isn't healthy because it exposes us to radiation. My first question is this: Is this your view as well? I rarely use my microwave now, but I did use it daily for many years. I even used to sit next to it regularly while operating it. My second question is this: Is there anything I can do to erase or decrease the effects this might have had on me? For example, are there supplements I can take to counteract these effects?
Thank you for your time.
XXXX
I understand that using microwave ovens isn't healthy because it exposes us to radiation. My first question is this: Is this your view as well? I rarely use my microwave now, but I did use it daily for many years. I even used to sit next to it regularly while operating it. My second question is this: Is there anything I can do to erase or decrease the effects this might have had on me? For example, are there supplements I can take to counteract these effects?
Thank you for your time.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
You are completely safe from microwave effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
There has been a lot of research done on effect of microwave cooking on nutrients as compared to conventional methods.
Medical literature says "Most reports indicated that microwave cooking resulted in higher moisture losses compared with conventional methods. Overall, the nutritional effects of microwaves on protein, lipid, and minerals appear minimal. There is no report on the effects of microwaves on carbohydrate fraction in foods. A large amount of data is available on the effects of microwaves on vitamins. It is concluded that there are only slight differences between microwave and conventional cooking on vitamin retention in foods. In conclusion, no significant nutritional differences exist between foods prepared by conventional and microwave methods. Any differences reported in the literature are minimal."
Going by above information, there is no reason for you to worry after having eaten foods cooked in microwave ovens.
Even the matter of radiation leak has been studied extensively and these conclude that "previous studies and the fast decay of radiated power density with distance from the oven, the conclusion was that user exposure to RF radiation from microwave ovens is much less than the general public exposure limit set by most international standards and that a detrimental effect on health is an unlikely result of exposure to radiation from microwave ovens."
Therefore you are completely safe after using microwave oven for years.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
You are completely safe from microwave effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
There has been a lot of research done on effect of microwave cooking on nutrients as compared to conventional methods.
Medical literature says "Most reports indicated that microwave cooking resulted in higher moisture losses compared with conventional methods. Overall, the nutritional effects of microwaves on protein, lipid, and minerals appear minimal. There is no report on the effects of microwaves on carbohydrate fraction in foods. A large amount of data is available on the effects of microwaves on vitamins. It is concluded that there are only slight differences between microwave and conventional cooking on vitamin retention in foods. In conclusion, no significant nutritional differences exist between foods prepared by conventional and microwave methods. Any differences reported in the literature are minimal."
Going by above information, there is no reason for you to worry after having eaten foods cooked in microwave ovens.
Even the matter of radiation leak has been studied extensively and these conclude that "previous studies and the fast decay of radiated power density with distance from the oven, the conclusion was that user exposure to RF radiation from microwave ovens is much less than the general public exposure limit set by most international standards and that a detrimental effect on health is an unlikely result of exposure to radiation from microwave ovens."
Therefore you are completely safe after using microwave oven for years.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Chail,
Thank you so much for your knowledgeable and detailed response. I'm very happy to hear that studies show minimal effects of radiation from microwaves.
I'd like to ask my second question again but provide more detail: I used to sit within one and a half feet from my microwave while it was in use, and I did this for several years. I think possibly the industry recommends staying within three feet. Do you think there is much of a chance this practice effected me, or do you stand by your response that a "detrimental effect on health is unlikely?"
Thank you again.
Thank you so much for your knowledgeable and detailed response. I'm very happy to hear that studies show minimal effects of radiation from microwaves.
I'd like to ask my second question again but provide more detail: I used to sit within one and a half feet from my microwave while it was in use, and I did this for several years. I think possibly the industry recommends staying within three feet. Do you think there is much of a chance this practice effected me, or do you stand by your response that a "detrimental effect on health is unlikely?"
Thank you again.
Brief Answer:
FDA guidelines are in place and you are safe.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Having gone through guidelines, the FDA details that radiation leak shall not exceed 1 milliwatt per square centimeter at any point 5 centimeters or more from the external surface of the oven, measured prior to acquisition by a purchaser, and, thereafter, 5 milliwatts per square centimeter at any such point.
The power leakage from the microwave oven will be even lower once an individual is a foot (12 inches) or more away from the oven, since the power is inversely proportional to the square of distance.
Therefore I consider you to be safe from any of the deleterious effects of radiation even if sitting just over a foot and half away from your microwave oven for a long time.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
FDA guidelines are in place and you are safe.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Having gone through guidelines, the FDA details that radiation leak shall not exceed 1 milliwatt per square centimeter at any point 5 centimeters or more from the external surface of the oven, measured prior to acquisition by a purchaser, and, thereafter, 5 milliwatts per square centimeter at any such point.
The power leakage from the microwave oven will be even lower once an individual is a foot (12 inches) or more away from the oven, since the power is inversely proportional to the square of distance.
Therefore I consider you to be safe from any of the deleterious effects of radiation even if sitting just over a foot and half away from your microwave oven for a long time.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you so much for the information you just sent me, especially the helpful specific details! My mind is now more at ease concerning this issue.
Thanks again and God bless!
Sincerely,
XXXX
Thank you so much for the information you just sent me, especially the helpful specific details! My mind is now more at ease concerning this issue.
Thanks again and God bless!
Sincerely,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome and thanks for writing back with an update.
I am happy to be replying to your query.
Please do write back in future with your any new health related query should you like it to be answered by me. Please quote query Id 147938 in the subject line and mention my name Dr.Vivek Chail and the query will be directed to me. I will reply as early possible.
God Bless you too.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome and thanks for writing back with an update.
I am happy to be replying to your query.
Please do write back in future with your any new health related query should you like it to be answered by me. Please quote query Id 147938 in the subject line and mention my name Dr.Vivek Chail and the query will be directed to me. I will reply as early possible.
God Bless you too.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
