Does microwaves leak radiation?

[Ellamaee]

My microwave looks like this , it’s years old .
will this leak radiation with it looking like that ? Obviously damage has been done already if so due to using it all the time .

Is that the inside of the door?

If it has rusted through completely - yes it will leak microwave radiation.
If the microwave is still a solid metal box with the door shut, you're fine.

@Seeline yes that is the inside .
how do I know if it’s rusted through completely? And it closes fine , I’m so sorry I don’t quite know what u mean.
and will the radiation have caused harm ?

Can you see daylight through it? Is there a hole in the door.

Microwaves are all around us - from the sun, most electronic gear, your phone etc. And bless you stand right next to your microwave overtime you use, I doubt it's done serious harm.

If you're that worried, maybe get a new one. Basic ones are pretty cheap these days.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001t5jq

Have a watch of this too

@Seeline no there’s no hole just rusted
I was never told to stay away from a microwave when it’s on so I probably have stood infront of it !

Microwaves are meant to be shockingly bad for you - I believe they zap all nutrients out of the food

There's no harm standing there if the microwave is sealed properly. If it's got a hole in it, there might be an issue!

Not correct. Microwaving is actually healthier than some methods as long as you don't overcook your food.

www.which.co.uk/news/article/seven-microwave-oven-myths-you-need-to-stop-believing-ameUd0X1dVeK?source_code=911CRJ&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAp5qsBhAPEiwAP0qeJhpShw_Odf6HLLVhm2NZOTF6iJrfTFLNApHBGBAMwfZFiuOWAoznHBoClo0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

@MiddleagedBeachbum I heard the opposite ? certain foods it keeps the nutrients in better ?

Microwaves are just very high frequency radio waves. They excite the water molecules in your food. They're not 'radiation' in the other senses of that word. The waves are very directional - they don't spread out - and they're mainly focused towards the food. I've never heard of anyone being injured from a microwave oven.

That was great. Hannah Fry is such a good presenter. Although she does like the slow mo shots when walking!!

The microwaves will stay inside the oven as the mesh over the glass will stop them, it’s known as a faraday cage, Should they get out they will fall to the floor, they won’t hurt you.

The person who developed the microwave oven realised its potential when he was working on microwaves and some food got hot. Apparently in the old days, there was no rotation so people had to manually move the food around.

You can work out the speed of light with a microwave - science in the home

Who told you that, and why do you believe them? This myth was around when microwave ovens first became popular, and it’s nonsense.

All microwave ovens do is heat food. The only effect of microwaves - a form of non ionising radiation- is heating. They don’t destroy nutrients any more than any other heating.

@Ellamaee Yes it is possible for microwave ovens to leak, but only if there’s a break in the metal “box” or seal. It’s possible to get them leak tested (they are all leak tested at the factory before being sold). The “radiation” (microwaves) can only heat things, that’s the only possible harm. But it isn’t advisable to use a damaged microwave oven.

Yours looks like it’s only rusty on the outside, but tbh I would get a new one. They’re not expensive any more. I’d actually be more concerned about rust on the inside, which is a concern from a food safety point of view.

@FictionalCharacter i think that is the inside part of the door

I was about to recommend this too.

So true. The bad radiation from my microwave turned our youngest into a jellyfish. And the other kids are all malnourished because the microwave sucked all the goodness out of the baked beans, ready meals and popcorn we cook in it.

A small fluorescent tube held near the door should react if there is a microwave leak, assuming you don't have a microwave detector.

That picture after a good look is the inside of the door, because that’s exposed metal I would definitely be investing in a new one, it could cause arching which is definitely not good

As long as you haven't removed the square sheet inside the thing then you're good.

However, treat yourself to a new microwave man.

The waves can cause pitting on the rust which will eventually result in leakage

DH says the same as a previous poster, that as long as the door closes properly and seals then you'll be fine. He's a nuclear chemist.

Hi OP, no need to worry. Microwave radiation is not harmful (despite what some conspiracy theorists may say!), especially not in such small doses that would be leaked from your microwave (which looks all fine to me). Microwaves work by vibrating the water particles within a substance, so would only have a mild heating effect- hope this helps!