- Microwaves are convenient and generally thought to be safe, but there are some associated dangers.microwave image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
Microwave ovens have been an increasingly common household appliance since the 1980s and today it's tough to find a home, break room or sometimes even hotel room without a microwave. While they provide convenience and are generally regarded as safe, there are some built-in dangers associated with microwaves that you should be aware of before you decide to heat up that next cup of water for tea or "nuke" that frozen dinner. - Because of the way microwaves work, liquids and some foods are not always heated consistently. You may have noticed that when you heat up a plate of leftovers the food gets hot in some places and not in others. Also, the plate is typically cool to the touch even if the food is sizzling.
In some instances eating foods that have "hot spots" in them can burn the mouth. Heating up liquids such as baby's formula can be dangerous because the bottle may feel cool and the liquid inside could be extremely hot and burn your baby, according to the Global Healing Center website. - A phenomenon known as superheated water has been discovered in microwaves and it can be dangerous to the person handling the liquid.
Sometimes water can heat above the boiling point in a microwave, but it may not appear to be boiling. On a stovetop you are accustomed to seeing water boil and bubble, but a cup of water may be heated to above 212 degrees Fahrenheit in a microwave without making any bubbles. When the door is opened and the cup is moved, the water could suddenly burst into bubbling action and spill out over the cup, leaving the handler with serious skin burns, according to the Food and Drug Administration website. - Microwaves have been around long enough that most of us probably know not to put metal in a microwave. Still, it bears repeating because of the potential danger associated with it.
Sparks and arcing electricity can occur when metal objects such as tin foil, takeout box handles and twist ties are introduced into the microwave while it is running, according to the Emerson Microwave Oven website.
These sparks and arcs can lead to fires in the home and should be avoided. - Although the claims that poisonous chemicals are leeched out of plastic wrap or containers during microwave heating are rampant, the true danger is not so scary. As long as you use containers rated "microwave safe" by the FDA, then you have little to worry about, according to Harvard Medical School's website.
Most takeout containers, water bottles and plastic containers that package food such as margarine and yogurt in grocery stores are not microwave safe. - While it is not much of a problem today because of advances in technology, people with pacemakers should check with their physicians to be sure it is safe to operate a microwave in their presence.
Modern pacemakers are designed to shield against electrical interference potentially caused by microwaves, according to the FDA website. However those with older pacemakers could have a problem with microwaves disrupting their pacemaker's function.
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