dangers of PUBLIC microwaves?

Question

do you think this would be a good thing to do a sci fair experiment on? my school microwave is really unsanitary and overused.
i want to find out if there is bacteria in it.

will i find anything? TIPS FOR THE EXPERIMENT WOULD BE AMAZING!

Answer 1

true the microwaves would kill most of the germs in the microwave, but to be completely sure I would do a bactrial culture.

What you'll need:
algure --> buy online or ask your local pharmacist on where to get some
a few petri disks
a few cotton swabs
tape

How to:
1- fill each disk with algure
2- pick a few control surfaces to compare the microwave to
3- one cotton swab and disk PER surface, swipe each surface with each disk, ONE swab and ONE disk PER surface
4- tape the lid tight to each disk
5- place in undisturbed place and wait

with in a few days you will have a few bacterial cultures, one representing the microwave and a few control groups to compare it to

as for presenting this at a science fair its all up to you

Answer 2

I think the actual micro waves would kill the bacteria within about 40 seconds.
I was wrong. seems like its the HEAT caused by the mircowaves

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bio99/bio99876.htm