Microwave Problems

Microwave Ovens = Fertility/ Pregnancy Problems?

Is there anybody out there who can help put my mind at rest? My hard working spouse (2 jobs) has given me a brand spanking new Microwave oven for our fifth anniversary, as you can guess I'm absolutely thrilled with it or at least I was. My neighbour Cindy informs me that these ovens give off dangerous levels of radiation that could be extremely hazardous to my unborn child and that she has heard of all sorts of horror stories regarding these ovens and mothers to be and urges me to trade it in or do a swap. My husband who is usually such a considerate man really put his foot down and said it was all hogwash! and that he works hard every day of the week (which he does) and that the least he can expect is a hot meal waiting for him on the table for when he gets home from work which I do understand. Am I being silly or should I put my foot down?

Public Comments

1. I won't go into your husband demanding a hot meal... However, it's crap that your microwave can harm your baby.
2. Just use the thing. I dunno if there is any truth to it, but for the safety of my child I believed it. So like a silly person, I'd turn on the microwave, then m,ake a mad dash several rooms away until it dinged. I got the food heated and I got the baby away, for the just in cases. So lace up your running shoes and use the thing. As for fertility problems, I doubt it. I reproduce like a rabbit and use my microwave since Mom first bought one when I was a kid. I think you'll be just fine.
3. What, there's only one solution - divorce.
4. Hello I don't think you have anythinhg to worry about. I have repaired and tested Microwaves for many years and have never come across one that has leaked any microwaves. Regards Paul
5. that's silly! I can't believe she told you that! microwaves are absolutely safe. my doctor told me that as long as I wasn't trying to microwave things with the door open and my belly inside of it, which is impossible anyway, I and the baby would be fine. if you want to be extra safe, after you start the microwave, don't stand in front of it. but who stands in front of it while it's going anyway? seriously, you and the baby will be OK. :D
6. You are being silly it is all hogwash you silly girl never done anybody any harm .after all these years if it did you would hear by now
7. Yes, they do omit some form of radiation, but so does a TV, a mobile phone, in fact, most things around the home do. It is only a small amount so there is no need to worry. If it concerns you that much, standing to the side of it is better than standing directly in front of it. Also, just found this article which may help? http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/radrus.htm
8. First of all, your husband should be a bit more concerned with the welling-being of his wife and child than his stomach, and if you agree, I think you should tell him so. ALso thank him extravagantly for the microwave. The facts state that if your pelvic area is directly in front of a micorwave it can cause reproductive harm. This is true. It can make it harder ofr you to concieve, and it ois THEORIZED that it might make the child more likely to have brith defects. You can then conclude whatever you like about exposing your occupied womb to to microwave radiation. I think its safe to say that you might want to be careful. I'm not pregnant, but here'ds what I (and everyone else I know) does. Use the microwave normally, but while it is one DO NOT STANT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT, or right next to it, just to be sure. The radiation you will recieve simply from using it SHOULD do no harm to your baby. If your husband cannot agree with you simply not standing in front of the microwave while it is on, then you definately need to put your foot down. And if you would rather be safe than sorry, limit use of the microwave and use the stove. However, new micorwaves give off less radiation than old. So try to compromise on not standing directly in front of it. According to the fda: To 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. Your husband should understand that. And oh yeah, ask a doctor.
9. I can put your mind totally at ease. Your neighbour is correct is saying that a microwave emits radiation. (It is basically a shortwave radio transmitter in a box.) it is NOT x-rays, gamma rays or any other form of what we concider 'radiation'. The heat from a fire is Infra Red radiation, you tan with Ultra Violet radiation, we make telephone calls with ultra high radio frequancy radiation. It just so happens that we can cook with high powered radio waves. They work by 'exciting' or vibrating the water (or fat) molecules millions of times per second causing them to heat up. The micrwaves only penetrate about 1/4" (6mm), so the rest of the food is cooked by being in contact with the hot area (conduction) - they don't cook from the inside out (old wives tale) - that's why that pie you tried to heat up for 30 seconds was still cold in the middle. Basically, such a minimal amount of energy escapes the cooking chamber that it's not worth bothering about - you will expose yourself to a higher dose of radio waves by using your mobile phone or a childs walkie-talkie...about 100 to 1000x more !!
10. What a load of bo****ks, if that was the case there wouldn't be a microwave in any house, where do these people get their information? I can understand your hubby wanting to be fed when he gets in from workbut, don't you have a convential oven, surely you don't use the microwave to cook every meal? If you're at home all day or part of the day, what do you do!!! It doesn't take long to prepare something that you put in the oven to eat later in the day, plus the fact food tastes better when cooked in a proper oven!! Can I also just say, if my old man had given me a microwave for my anniversary, he'd still be trying to remove it from his a**e!!!!!!