I don't want to wander into foil hat territory but this question has been around for a while. One of my best clients, a couple who are weightlifting champs and personal trainers recently gave me a nearly new microwave to sell on Craigslist (and keep the money) or otherwise dispose of as they decided it wasn't worth the health risks.

I've usually pooh-poohed such notions but who knows? Clearly our species did not evolve over milenia using the things. OTOH, things that are hotter than cold things are such because their molecules are moving/vibrating faster. A microwave excites the molecules and makes them move faster. Would that really be a problem?

__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Whether you use a frying pan over a gas burner or a microwave, increasing the temperature of a food to be heated creates the molecular excitement in question.

Check with ElChivito, he had some interesting things to say about them. It's been several years since he commented but it was informative.

I'd refrain from sticking my head in one and turning it on. I suspect it would be unpleasant. I haven't heard of any bad health effects from them. Aren't there other microwaves passing thru the atmosphere around us?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

i hear they zap the nutrition from food away. Not really sure. I dont own one, but thats because I dont have room for one and I use my oven.

__________________
1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

I don't think the microwaves themselves are dangerous as long as you're not heating your arm or something similar. Metal grills in the oven are designed to keep the RF radiation inside the oven, and microwaves don't typically heat food to a degree that would cause the development of carcinogens (unlike grilling, roasting or frying).

I think some of the parts can be dangerous if you try to disassemble it, and certain metal shapes can cause arcing if placed inside the oven.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My feeling for some time has been that they're safe for the reasons mentioned here. The unknown for me is how they might interact with the components of food. That stuff was alive not long ago. Could it possibly damage something in the cellular structure? Hypothetical question, I don't know.

__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

My understanding is the risk originates from the ability to heat food in plastic containers. Some of the hydrocarbons and other unpleasant chemicals end up in your dinner. So reheat only in glass or ceramic containers and cover with wax paper, not plastic wrap. This of course means all frozen fast foods are off the menu, as they are all packaged in plastic.

I agree with the plastics to a degree.

https://www.verywell.com/is-plastic-a-carcinogen-or-not-796983?

Yes, I avoid microwaving anything in a plastic container or with plastic wrap.

__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

They're great for drying out a rained-on newspaper.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

This is old time stuff. They say to stay 6 feet away from the Oven due to the microwaves and more so if you have a Pacemaker.

The next issue is you are supposed to wait 2 minutes after you are done heating the Food or Drink it to stop cooking before you eat it because doing that can cause parts of your Stomach to sort of cook also. Lots of people don't wait and sometimes I don't wait the 2 minutes either.

It is possible for Microwave ovens to develop a microwave radiation leak. But, owners don't know that has happened.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Don't burn yourself.

That's it, the only scientifically proven danger I am aware of. Everything else, "the findings are consistent with there being no affect."

__________________
617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

I know that cheap unit can leak micro waves around the doors.I have always kept my children a safe distance when nuking food.

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Theres some research on how frequencies in the 2.4ghz range alters heart and brain function over time. That would include wifi routers.