is it really that microwave oven is dangerous ?
400660
yes because it produces kind of radiation which may cause genetic mutations that may finally lead to cancer!\nbut this is not occuring usually, the parcentage of its harm is not high so you don't have to worry!
1041368
Generally, I'd say transfering energy using a microwave beam would be hazardous to anything living in the beam, however, it depends on the intensity, or beam density. If you're transfering enough energy to be usefull, I'd say it was dangerous, unless the beam was very wide, and your collectors were very large, then the beam density would be low, but such an unfocussed beam would be inefficient. \nMicrowave radiation is all around us, naturally and artificially generated - background radiation, line of site communications, radar guns, etc.....
1032319
I sure hope so, since I've been eating microwaved food for more than 40  years.  Microwaves are just another way of heating food for cooking.  If anythiing, some foods (mainly vegetables) cooked in a microwave are heathier than stove top cooking since very little water is used that can dissolve vitamins and minerals.
1076578
I would perish without a microwave!!!LOL
491908
yes, it may be harmful
165006
It is not dangerous if you take the obvious precautions.\nHere in the damp and chilly UK this method has often been used.\nBut, good news, you don't have to leave the door open. Why not cook things at the same time.\nIf you think about it, all the heat of a closed oven does eventually escape anyway - so why not use it.
183506
A microwave is a device that creates HIGH POWER microwave RADIATION. If this stuff gets to you, then there is a possibility of cancer.  Remember the deal with cellphones and cancer?\n\n    Inside the microwave you'll notice there is a steal mesh.  You see it in front of your microwave(It's got millions of holes in it).  This mesh is called a Faraday cage. What this mesh does is that it is actually protects you, by "blocking" the microwaves from escaping.  Remove the mesh and the microwaves have a chance to escape into the environment.\n\n    Cellphones also create microwaves.  But the microwaves coming from your cellphone, pale in power compared to the microwaves coming from the oven.  \n\n    Remember that radiation get's embedded into your skin.  It stays there for a long time, and eats away at you slowly.
199111
Checking Ovens For Leakage\n\nThere is little cause for concern about excess microwaves leaking from ovens unless the door hinges, latch, or seals are damaged, or if the oven was made before 1971. In FDA's experience, most ovens tested show little or no detectable microwave leakage. If there is some problem and you believe your oven might be leaking excessive microwaves, contact the oven manufacturer, a microwave oven service organization, your state health department, or the nearest FDA office. Some oven manufacturers will arrange for your oven to be checked. Many states have programs for inspecting ovens or they may be able to refer you to microwave oven servicing organizations that are equipped to test ovens for excessive emission. A limited number of ovens are also tested in homes by FDA as part of its overall program to make sure that ovens meet the safety standard.\n\nA word of caution about the microwave testing devices being sold to consumers: FDA has tested a number of these devices and found them generally inaccurate and unreliable. If used, they should be relied on only for a very approximate reading. The sophisticated testing devices used by public health authorities to measure oven leakage are far more accurate and are periodically tested.\n\nTips on Safe Microwave Oven Operation\n\nFollow the manufacturer's instruction manual for recommended operating procedures and safety precautions for your oven model. \nDon't operate an oven if the door does not close firmly or is bent, warped, or otherwise damaged. \nNever operate an oven if you have reason to believe it will continue to operate with the door open. \nTo add to the margin of safety already built into the oven, don't stand directly against an oven (and don't allow children to do this) for long periods of time while it is operating. \nUsers should not heat water or liquids in the microwave oven for excessive amounts of time.
858685
A microwave excites water thermally and unevenly at that.  A modern microwave in good repair poses no risk to you regarding microwave radiation.  The Faraday's cage (a metal net surrounding the microwave) protects you completely from radiation.\n\nIt is true, though, that water can be heated to an unusual gas-liquid stage if only a small amount of water is heated for half-an-hour or more, which is very unstable when released to an open atmosphere.  Hot water can explode when sufficient supercritical water (much above the temperature for evaporating) meets a quick change in water vapor pressure (lots of steam leaves the surface of the supercitical water).\n\nIn conclusion, under normal circumstances there is no risk to your health whatsoever.  If you microwave materials to really, really, really high temperatures, it is reasonable to expect trouble.  If you open the microwave door and notice an incredible amount of steam escaping, close the door most of the way and leave the area completely.\n\nThe mostly closed door with facilitate or slower and thus more stable transition to room conditions.  Always exercise caution with scalding hot materials, but the microwave has a way of heating things past the temperature that you are planning or expecting.  As the heat dissipates, so does the hazard, no different than with any other machine.
715720
Yes, it drives my hubby nutz that If I want to make a corn dog..I will wait 45 mintues to make it in the oven than in the microwave.\n\nI hate microwaves! Everything comes out too soggy or tough
722141
Microwave is any electromagnetic wave with "frequencies between 300 MHz (3 x 108 Hz) and 300 GHz (3 x 1011 Hz)."(1)\n\nThe most common impact could be seen in Microwave Ovens where food is heated up by causing the molecules in it to vibrate so fast, it heats up.\n\nIt is also used in radio broadcasting, radars & Wireless LAN protocols (e.g. Bluetooth). GSM mobile networks & cable TV use microwave.\n\nMicrowaves are used in maser, a device similar to laser, just that it operates at microwave frequencies.\n\nMore at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwaves
925341
Maybe a regular piece of paper, as long as you are right there to watch it and if it starts to burn hurry up and take it out.  It depends on the microwave and how old it is.  I have done it with mine and it was ok.  Be careful.
924138
The average cellphone puts out around 1 to 3 watts of UHF frequencies near the microwave band. Yes, it cooks your brain cells if the antenna is next to your head. It just does it very slowly. Figure it out, if you want. A microwave oven will destroy an egg in a couple of minutes using around 800 watts. Figure your cellphone puts out a quarter of a percent of that power and you might destroy enough cells in your brain the size of an egg in about 24 hours. Most folks have plenty of extra brain cells and don't notice this. Those who use their cellphone a lot will find out in time that this is not a myth.
679767
Microwave ovens use microwaves (obviously) specifically designed to be absorbed only by the food. However, when the food gets hot, heat is then transfered to the dish. Technically, the microwave only (directly) heats the food.\nIn contrast, all a convectional oven does is heat everything inside, regardless of what it is. In this case, the dish usually heats up more quickly because it has a lower specific heat, depending on what food is in the dish.
242893
Hmm, I'm sitting here thinking about how microwaves work (yes, I do know how). If the pills have moisture in them (which I'm sure they do), then the electons in the pills can get energized by the microwaves and change the substance of the pills completely. The heat from the outside of the microwave itself though can alter the chemicals in the pills. It might be unlikely that anything happened to yours, but I'd just be on the safe side about it.
1047940
Not sure yet but there is new evidense.\nSee article.\nhttp://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20060522/cellphonesexcite_hea_zoom0.html\n\nCell phones use VERY LOW power, but people have been killed by TV and Radio Transmitters, and I have been personally been zaped by a radio transmitting antenna.\nPlease remember a microwave oven IS A MICROWAVE RADIO, with the radio waves contained in a metal box. I would not want to over ride the safety switch and turn it on with my head in it!!!\nCell Phones are such a low power I would not really worry, BUT If I had children I would not allow them to use one except in emerginces or no more than 5-minutes a month. Their brains and bodies are still developming and IF there is a danger it wont show up till their in their forties. \nWould you let your kids smoke? We know smoking is dangerous, IF they only smoked from age 5 to 10 years old any ILL affects wont show up till they turn forty or so.\nI'm just saying here that I dont believe enough studies have been done and the affects of cell phones have not been studied long enough only because there so new. No long term use has been studied, or the affects on developing minds.\nI have been a Certified Electronic Repair Tech. sence 1974
637991
Because microwaves do not directly heat food.  Instead microwaves excited the water molecules in the food.  The excited water molecules transfer heat to the food, causing it to become hotter.\nGiven the chance, microwaves will boil your blood and cook your muscles.