The safety of microwave ovens has long been a subject of debate due to their fairly powerful microwave radiation. Scientists and experts have repeatedly spoken about its safety, but many people are still afraid that it can cause harm to health, for example, if the seal is damaged. However, the real danger associated with these ovens came from where it was least expected. A recent study showed that microwaves are home to a large number of bacteria, and some of them can be dangerous to health.
Dangerous bacteria live in microwaves. Photo source: dzen.ru
Contents
- 1 Why microwave ovens are dangerous
- 2 What bacteria live inside microwave ovens
- 3 How bacteria survive inside a microwave oven
- 4 Should you be afraid of microwave ovens
Why microwave ovens are dangerous
We have previously explained in detail why microwave radiation generated by a microwave oven does not pose a health hazard. It is non-ionizing, meaning it does not have enough energy to damage DNA inside cells. The maximum harm that can be caused by microwave radiation is a burn. However, as mentioned above, there is another type of danger.
In a recent study, a group of Spanish scientists from the startup Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence SL examined 30 microwaves and found almost 750 different types of microbes inside. It should be noted that the ovens for the study were taken from different places – private homes, offices, cafes and research laboratories.
Scientists researched the surface of 30 different microwaves. Photo source: overclockers.ru
Of course, not all types of bacteria are dangerous to humans, but some microbes found in household microwaves, such as Klebsiella, Enterococcus and Aeromonas, can cause serious illness, researchers report in Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence SL.
What bacteria live inside microwave ovens
Klebsiella are found in human feces, can also be on the skin and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, are present in the soil, so are often found on fruits and vegetables. The bacteria can cause pneumonia, blood infections, conjunctivitis, meningitis, acute intestinal infections and some other diseases.
In 2017, the WHO classified this type of bacteria as the most dangerous due to their ever-growing resistance to existing antibacterial drugs. That is, they are becoming increasingly resistant to the effects of antibiotics, which means infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat.
Klebsiella causes pneumonia and other dangerous diseases. Photo source: biolabtests.com
Enterococcus and Aeromonas are also quite dangerous bacteria. For example, enterococci cause diseases such as urinary tract infections, meningitis, bacteremia (presence of bacteria in the blood), etc. Aeromonas bacteria produces a toxin called aerolysin, which can cause damage to organ tissue. True, this bacterium rarely infects healthy people.
How bacteria survive inside a microwave
At first glance, it seems strange that bacteria live inside a microwave oven, which generates powerful electromagnetic radiation. In fact, this can be easily explained. As mentioned above, microwave electromagnetic radiation is not ionizing, unlike, for example, X-ray radiation. Therefore, it does not damage DNA and does not change cells.
The only reason why microorganisms can die inside a microwave oven is high temperature. However, as we have already said, the peculiarity of such ovens is that it is not the surfaces that heat up inside them, but only the products themselves. By the way, for this reason, the taste of heated dishes often changes for the worse, and sometimes the products even become harmful.
Bacteria have a better chance of surviving in a microwave oven than, for example, in an oven. Photo source: www.eg.ru
The temperature inside such an oven is much lower than, for example, inside a regular oven. Therefore, some bacteria still have a chance to survive, even if you use the oven often. Obviously, the most resistant types of bacteria survive, but you shouldn't be upset about this.
Should you be afraid of microwave ovens?
As researchers have found out, in household microwaves that are in private kitchens or public places, the microbiome is less diverse, compared to microwaves used in laboratories. That is, fewer types of bacteria live inside them.
The presence of bacteria such as Klebsiella, Enterococcus and Aeromonas does not mean that the microwave oven should be immediately disposed of. In fact, all sorts of bacteria are present on other kitchen surfaces. Moreover, as the study reports, the inside of the microwave oven does not contain more bacteria than other surfaces.
Periodically, the microwave must be washed with a disinfectant. Photo source: zolushkacleans.ru
Nevertheless, to avoid possible negative consequences, it is necessary to take certain measures, namely, the oven must be kept clean. To do this, from time to time, the internal surfaces and seal must be wiped with a disinfectant detergent. In addition, you need to ensure that there is no contamination from food inside the oven. Let us remind you that some products cannot be heated in the microwave at all, as they can explode, in which case washing cannot be avoided.
Be sure to visit our Zen and Telegram channels, here you will find the most interesting news from the world of science and the latest discoveries!
If the surface is dirty, for example, a drop of food fell on it or crumbs were scattered, they must be removed immediately, since bacteria usually multiply on food. If you follow these tips, your microwave will not pose any health hazard.