My mom always told me that it was bad to look into a microwave while it was working because the waves would hurt my eyes. Is this true?
2007-03-03 15:17:26 · 22 answers · asked by wondering 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
I'm the same and I don't let my kids near it when it's working.
how true? I have no idea...
2007-03-03 15:20:08 · answer #1 · answered by webby 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, not a good idea, just in case. Microwaves can cause cataracts. However, each microwave door has a grid in it that is supposed to stop the escape of the waves. One way to check if it is "leaking" is to take a flourescent tube and hold it near the door when the oven is operating. If it lights up, you have microwaves escaping. The waves excite the gas molecules causing it to light with no electric source.
So, I would say not to look too long and to check for leakage to make sure.
2007-03-03 15:21:55 · answer #2 · answered by William E 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. That is why the microwaves have a screen that prevents microwave energy from getting outside of its steel box. The front glass has a coating and the rest is metal. So as far as a noticeable emission of radiation in mom's old days there could have been but definitely not now.
2007-03-03 15:23:33 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, because the microwaves do not escape the metal mesh in the door window. If microwaves were escaping you body would start cooking and it wouldn't matter where your eyes are aimed at. If looking was bad then why do microwave manufacturers make the inside visible from the outside?
It is perfectly safe to watch your food cooking in a microwave.
2007-03-03 15:20:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most microwave ovens are safe to stare at. However in any case of a leakage(as in when the microwave is spoilt), microwave can escape, and these are real harmful. I stay away from my microwave when it's working just to be safe :P
2007-03-03 15:25:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. i asked my doctor about this since i am pregnant. and myth busters did one on this. The microwave *waves* are actually emmited out of the sides of the microwave. So if you stand on the side of the microwave while it is going then you are taking in microwaves. The front does not emmit any microwaves.
2007-03-03 15:24:39 · answer #6 · answered by Holly G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well microwaves do give off a bit of radiation, in the same way that X-rays do, so it's probably not a great idea to look straight into it, or to stand right in front of it, for that matter. But then you have to wonder, why is there a light on in there if you're not supposed to look?
2007-03-03 15:21:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I don't know if it will hurt your eyes, but I do know that it could make you have cancer. I wouldn't want to stand in front of a microwave if I was you.
2007-03-03 15:29:39 · answer #8 · answered by Pie Lover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Micro-waves are well designed to keep the micro-waves from exiting the micro-wave. Even so, I still would NOT get right at the door to look in. It could possibly develop a leak and let some micro-waves out and then they could harm you. Just remember, a micro-wave was designed to cook meat and/or warm food and what are you..........meat/water and bones. Pops
2007-03-03 15:22:40 · answer #9 · answered by Pops 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your mom has taken one to many hits of LSD. If that was the case there would be millions of radio active people running around. The micro wave are contained within the oven.
2007-03-03 15:20:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
well i don't know about that but it probably is not a great idea to stand too close to a microwave. I know they are supposed to be safe but why put your body close to a source of radiation?
2007-03-03 15:21:50 · answer #11 · answered by Jebbie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋