Is Standing in Front of a Microwave Oven Dangerous?

[diamond lil]

I was nuking a snack this afternoon and a co-worker told me I should not stand in front of the microwave oven because it can harm my baby. Seriously????

I thought the microwaves in use today are much safer than they were 15 or 20 years ago.

What do you think? Should I stop watching my food cook in the microwave?

[MKury]

I was told not to during my last pregnancy, and I make a definite concerted effort to avoid the microwave if it is on... I don't know if it is true, but I'd rather take a step to the side than cause damage to the baby.

[Hesperia]

I saw this study and read a report about microvaed heated water killing prefectly alive plants over 3 weeks.

I would stay clear of the microwave...both for eating and while it is on.

But, I am just weird that way (we don't own a microwave and I don't eat anything that comes out of one).

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Hesperia

I saw this study and read a report about microvaed heated water killing prefectly alive plants over 3 weeks.

?? how hot was the water heated? Boiling water is a known weed killer.

[NatureMama3]

If your microwave seals aren't in good shape, yes it can be. (or if your microwave is older) Otherwise no.

We tried the microwaved water thing, no changes we noticed.

that said, we don't actually use one anymore. we didn't like how everything cooked in it had a sweeter taste. We haven't had one for probably 4 years now.

[gibas23]

I was told to not stand in front of the microwave too when I was pregnant last year. I always think it's just an old wives's tale, but I am glad now that at least I was listening to the warning.

[Down2Earth]

I was just telling DH today I wanted to buy a microwave. Thanks for asking this question! I've been dying for frozen burritos and I hate waiting 45 mins for it to bake in the oven. I want it in 45 secs!

[NatureMama3]

down2earth, try a toaster oven. faster than a regular one.

we also head those kinds of things in a cast-iron frying pan, which is much faster than the oven too.

[taraknyc]

I've heard they can cause miscarriage in the first trimester. Don't know where I've heard that, so can't back it up...

[Qestia]

I dunno, but it seems easy enough to stand a few feet away, so that's what I do.

[Xenarthra]

I had heard that AND the microwave-heated-water-plant-killer thing, so I was secretly glad when our microwave died in the first trimester of my last pregnancy...we haven't replaced it since and, honestly, I am okay with that. I just don't trust technology...

[sapphire_chan]

Until someone posts an actual study showing harm, I refuse to waste time and electricity by not using the microwave.

The articles I read by Googling "microwave safety" indicated both that microwaves in good repair do not release microwaves outside the enclosure (the instances where someone standing in front of an operating microwave oven were in ovens that had been modified to operate while the door was open) and that microwave cooking can reduce the formation of carcinogenic materials during cooking.

Two concerns brought up in the reading I did were:
1. that the nutritional value of the food might be reduced which was not supported in any study for any food except in thawing frozen breastmilk.
and
2. That the microwave can cook food without raising its temperature as much as conventional cooking, and therefore food borne illnesses can remain. Which is a concern, but, IMO, simply a cause for greater attention to proper food handling methods so that I'm not relying on the cooking process to fix problems caused by failing to refrigerate foods.


That said, if you research the topic yourself and are still concerned, here are some lower-energy, faster, ways of preparing food than your oven and range top:
toaster oven
steamer (get one that also works as a rice cooker)
electric kettle

also, consider a pressure cooker for use on your stove, and use lids when cooking as much as possible, that will speeding cooking times and reduce wasted energy.

[~sweet pea~]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Until someone posts an actual study showing harm, I refuse to waste time and electricity by not using the microwave.

Amen! (although I still step away as soon as I press start, just in case...) and thanks for the research.

[Nicole_ac]

Originally Posted by Hesperia

I saw this study and read a report about microvaed heated water killing prefectly alive plants over 3 weeks.

Yes it was in a scientific article, I read it probably 4-5 years ago. I have been trying to find it again ever since...

[NatureMama3]

some fun articles on the water/plant theory.

http://www.eclecticscience.net/exper...s/summary.html

http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp

[TrippyLongstocking]

I have been scared of them and lived without one for more than 10 years now...
I dont need scientific evidence to stay away because I believe in intuition more than science anyways.
:
microwaves alter the cellular structure of all natural things.
I would stay away while they are in use and in fact I wouldnt eat from one at all especially while pregnant...
but I mean I guess If you cant stand eating a cold lunch at work then at least just stay away while the machine is microwaving your food substances..:

[sapphire_chan]

http://howthingswork.virginia.edu/microwave_ovens.html is pretty interesting, note especially the commentary on cellphones in #1516
and the discussion on cellular breakdown in #1169

And for fun:
One article on cellular changes due to microwave radiation:
Specifically regarding cattle

An assessement of the article's source.

[ashley1972]

Microwave radiation penetrates all tissue of the human body EXCEPT for eyes and the developing fetus. According to "What to Expect when you're expecting" (not exactly an "alternative" perspective!) she says that developing fetuses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of microwaves.

My mother has metastatic breast cancer. Her oncologist at UCLA (ranks 6th in the nation for breast cancer research) wrote what most consider to be the definitive book on breast cancer (http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Susan-Loves...7329174&sr=8-1). In this book she talks specifically about the risk of microwave radiation and the development of cancer cells. I really encourage you to check it out at the libraray or at a bookstore if you question the link.

The other issue with microwave radiation is what you put your food on - there have been studies that show cooking food on a plastic plate causes the plastic to leach into the food. Certain plastic are known carcinogen.

I think you have to look at the materials and make up your own mind on the risks / benefits of using a microwave during pregnancy.

[diamond lil]

Wow! Thanks for all the information, mamas! I don't use the microwave very often, but now I think I'll be standing away from it now just to be safe.

[Amandamanda]

if it wasn't for the microwave i probably would not have eaten at all during my pregnancy.

that being said, i don't recall ever standing directly in front of the microwave waiting for my food to be done, but i was always in the same room.