Myths about microwave ovens

Q: My friend told me that if I cook food in the microwave (oven), it will be radioactive when I take it out. He also said standing near the microwave will cook my insides, and people with pacemakers can’t come into my kitchen because the microwave would make the pacemakers stop. Some of my friends have pacemakers and use microwaves. Should I tell them to stop using them? — Grace G. in Missouri

A: Your friend is giving you some rather sensational and untrue information. A microwave in good condition presents no significant danger to you or your friends, pacemaker or not.

Note that I said “in good condition.” If the microwave oven is damaged, if any of the interior or exterior parts are not in place, if the rubber door seals are deteriorated or warped or the door doesn’t close properly — then do not use it. Replace the microwave oven.

Your friend’s fears about the food becoming “radioactive” are also unfounded. Microwave ovens work by generating radio waves (just like a radar or X-ray). These waves pass through the food and excite the water molecules within. The water molecules, suddenly moving much faster than normal, generate friction, friction generates heat and, voila, you have hot food. The radio waves themselves do not stay in the food. In addition, the radiation generated by a microwave oven is much, much less than that generated by an X-ray at the dentist’s office.

Many years ago, pacemaker wearers were told not to stand too close to microwave ovens because researchers were concerned that, should stray radio waves be emitted from the ovens during use, the radio frequency would scramble the frequency of the pacemaker.

However, pacemakers themselves have been shielded to prevent any kind of interference — not just from microwaves.

If you’re still concerned about radiation from the microwave, follow these steps. Check the oven for damage or bad door seal, or replace it with a newer model. When the oven is in operation, stand at least 2 feet away.