These days, some of us may feel that everything needs to be done quickly—and, if possible, with minimal effort—just to keep up with this fast-paced life.
That also means that we may use technologies like microwaves to heat our food.
It’s an efficient way to heat it up if you’re in a rush—just pop it in and you can do something else while waiting for the food to be finished.
You don’t have to constantly stir a soup, for example, so that it doesn’t burn.
However, there are certain health risks when it comes to microwaves.
Before we get to the risks, let’s first discuss about the microwave as a whole.
How Microwaves Work
First of all, how does microwaves work?
How does it magically heat up our food?
Microwaves use electromagnetic radiation called microwaves to cook food.
These microwaves, along with infrared and radio waves are a type of low-energy radiation called non-ionising radiation.
Materials that have a lot of water, like food, easily absorb these microwaves.
It causes the water to vibrate and quickly heat up, which would then cook the food.
Look Out for Leaky Microwaves
As our bodies’ tissues contain a lot of water, exposure to direct and intense microwaves can cause our tissues to heat up.
This could then lead to damage and burns.
However, microwaves that we have in our kitchen doesn’t pose this kind of threat.
If you noticed, the screen of your microwave is covered with protective mesh screen dotted with tiny holes.
These holes are spaced appropriately so that the long microwaves are kept bouncing inside the chamber, according to Timothy Jorgensen, an associate professor of radiation medicine.
However, leaky microwaves can potentially be a risk.
To be safe, don’t use your microwave if it’s damaged or the door won’t close fully.
How Microwaves Cause Burns
If you’re the type of person to heat up your water in the microwave before making coffee and tea, you should stop doing that.
The same goes if you put a cup of water in the microwave, in hopes that it’ll make your pizza easier to eat.
According to chemistry professor Kim Hilton, water heated in the microwave can sometimes explode.
When it’s heated in the microwave, it can superheat without appearing to boil.
Which would mean that the water can become hotter than its boiling point without actually boiling.
When it’s disturbed or a surface is introduced for bubbles to form, it can rapidly boil and release steam, causing an explosion.
If you still want to heat your drinks in the microwave, the professor suggested putting a wooden stick in your drink before heating.
You should also heat you water in short increments to ensure that the water heats evenly and will break the surface tension periodically.
Microwave Safe Does Not Mean Health-Safe
A study suggested that you should reconsider using plastic containers and what it might do to your food or what that food can do to your body.
Plastics are not all made from the same things as some needs to be more sturdier or more durable.
Plastic actually refers to a range of materials with substances added to shape or stabilise it.
The two most common stabilisers are bisphenol A (BPA) that’s used to make plastic harder and phthalates that’s used to make plastic stronger and more flexible.
BPA and some phthalates are considered endocrine disruptors, which mimic or block natural hormones in the body.
It’s suggested that you should avoid substances that might interfere with hormones as they can lead to issues like:
- infertility
- thyroid disease
- early puberty
- leukemia
- breast, uterine and prostate cancers
- neurobehavioural issues
- obesity
- metabolic dysfunction
In the study, it was found that phthalates may contribute to over 100 thousand premature deaths a year.
Heating plastic containers would increase the risk of leaching, which is the transfer or leaking of chemicals into food.
You should also note that even if a plastic container is labeled ‘microwave safe’, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t melt.
Microwave Safe Materials to Use
So, what should you use instead?
Well, fret not. Here are a few other types of containers you can use to heat up your food.
1. Glass
Glass is one of the best materials to microwave, especially the type of glass that does not contain lead.
Thanks to its transparency, the glass also allows you to see the food you’re heating up.
However, you should not put leaded glasses or crystal cups in the microwave.
2. Porcelain
Another type of container is porcelain, unless they have metal decorations.
3. Clay and Terracotta
Both clay and terracotta are good materials to use to heat up your food.
Make sure that they are enamelled and have no cracks as the container can break during cooking.
Things You Definitely Shouldn’t Put in the Microwave
There are definitely many other things that you shouldn’t put in the microwave as it could pose a safety risk to you and your family.
Be sure to put these items as far away from the microwave and your children for their safety.
Here are some items you should never put in the microwave.
1. Styrofoam Containers
Expanded polystyrene foam, or also known as styrofoam, is a type of plastic that comes in many forms, like takeout containers and packing peanuts.
The FDA deemed that styrofoam is safe for food contact and that there are some type of styrofoam containers that are marked as microwave safe.
However, it’s best to avoid putting them in the microwave as they don’t react to high temperatures emitted by a microwave.
This could lead the material to break, melt, or release toxic chemicals that could leach to your food.
2. Metal Utensils and Cookware
Metal is not safe to be put in the microwave because it does not absorb electromagnetic waves.
Metals are conductive, so with enough heat, those waves become concentrated on the surface and spark a fire.
Skip the Plastic
Even if it’s marked as safe to use in microwaves, you should definitely avoid using it as much as before.
Transfer your food into glass or porcelain bowls just to be safe.
There are a lot more health risks if you’re eating chemical contaminated food than there are benefits of using plastic to heat up your food.
Stay safe and healthy, everyone!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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