Investigating the Myths About the Dangers of Microwave Ovens
Are microwaves truly dangerous? Read on to learn more.
Why Did I Research This Topic in the First Place?
I was using the microwave oven in my kitchen when I noticed my daughter walking away quickly with her two month old child in her arms. As she did, she took the opportunity to tell me that microwave ovens are dangerous and that I shouldn't even have one in the house. I couldn't believe my ears, but listened further as she explained. She told me that she had learned that microwave ovens leak dangerous radiation and that her obstetrician had told her to stay away from microwaves when she was still pregnant. Further, she indicated that there's lots of proof that microwaves destroy the nutritional value of the food and that food that has been microwaved can cause cancer. Of course, being "a big know it all" with a typical male ego, I objected to the nonsense I was hearing. However, a few moments later, I began to question myself. Could it be true? Is my ego so out of control that I could dismiss this warning and risk my own health and the health of my loved ones? I quickly came to my senses and decided to investigate. Since I pride myself in dealing with cold, hard facts, I admittedly began my research with a good dose of skepticism. However, don't get me wrong, the little voice inside me kept telling me to "be fair."
What Approach Did I Take?
I began my research using the Internet as most of us do these days. It's an extraordinarily valuable research tool. However, it too has its dangers. Anyone can post an article and one has to be very careful to differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources. Nevertheless, I began by doing a simple Google search using the words "the dangers of microwave ovens". I almost fell off my seat when the first page of results showed articles titled "Microwave Ovens - The Proven Dangers", "The Proven Dangers Of Microwaves", and "Microwave Cooking Is Killing You". I thought, "oh my God, I was so wrong". Then, after my moment of emotional weakness passed, I came to my senses. I quickly realized that I had better read all of these articles with a critical eye and then search for the opposite point of view and do the same.
What Are the Supposed "Proven" Dangers?
According to virtually every negative article I read, the supposed proven dangers state that:
- Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term—permanent—brain damage by "shorting out" electrical impulses in the brain [de-polarizing or de-magnetizing the brain tissue].
- The human body cannot metabolize [break down] the unknown by-products created in microwaved food.
- Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods.
- The effects of microwaved food by-products are residual [long term, permanent] within the human body.
- Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.
- The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens.
- Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumors]. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer in America.
- The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood.
- Continual ingestion of microwaved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations.
- Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence.
Why Are the Sources of This Negative Information Suspect?
After reading the first few negative articles, I quickly began to notice several patterns. First, and foremost, virtually every article used information from what most of us would consider unreliable sources.
Here's a case in point. One of the sources was a scientific study conducted by the former Soviet Union during the 1950s. Are they kidding? Even the Soviet people didn't trust the information provided by their own government. Why should we? Further, does anyone really believe that the Soviet government conducted unbiased studies on the effects of microwave ovens for the express purpose of safeguarding the health of their citizens? Ask the residents of Chernoble if you're in doubt. Finally, if this study produced such compelling information in the 1950s, why hasn't anyone been able to replicate it since?
After reading many additional articles, I noticed that the information contained in a great many of them came from a single source. That source was an original article written by Anthony Wayne and Lawrence Newell. Place their names in a Google search and you will come up with dozens and dozens of articles that support this point. While we should be skeptical of information that comes from a single source, we should not necessarily discount that source unless it proves to be unreliable or unauthoritative. Therefore, I decided to check the credentials of the authors. After reading through many articles attributed to them and many in which their names appear as sources, I was able to learn only one thing about them. They are associated with The Christian Law Institute & Fellowship Assembly. There is no mention of their educational background, their professions, or anything else that might suggest that theirs is expert opinion. Most logical people would not believe that being associated with the Christian Law Institute and Fellowship Assembly is sufficient evidence of expertise in the fields necessary to determine the dangers of microwave ovens.
While much of the proof offered in many of the articles is simply testimonial in nature, some of it comes from scientific studies. In one such short-term study, it was concluded that microwaved milk and vegetables cause significant and disturbing changes in the blood of individuals, and that hemoglobin levels decrease while white blood cells and cholesterol levels increase. However, before you throw your microwave away, you might be interested in knowing that this study included a grand total of "EIGHT" volunteers. Further, when I checked the Internet to find information about the scientists who conducted this study and came to this inescapable conclusion, I could find absolutely nothing about Raum & Zelt. Maybe their work is so top secret that they are hold up in the mountains of South Dakota, living in fear that the authorities in Washington will exterminate them for speaking the truth.
While I found many, many more reasons to disbelieve the so called "proven dangers" of microwave ovens, It would be overkill to present them here.
What Sources of Information Can Be Trusted and Why?
Individuals whose education and experience qualify them to conduct scientific studies and to draw conclusions are trusted sources of information as are many organizations that are dedicated to providing unbiased, fact-based information to the public. In the case of microwave ovens, I trust what I've learned from Consumers Union, and from Dr. Louis Bloomfield. Here's why.
Consumers Union employs hundreds of technical experts who purchase and test the products it evaluates. It is both an independent and non-profit organization. It does not accept outside advertising or free samples. Further, it owns and operates more than 50 state-of-the-art labs and offices and is a member of Consumers International, which is a federation of more than 220 consumer organizations. These are the kind of credentials that make their statements trustworthy.
Another reliable source of information is Louis A. Bloomfield because he posseses the education and experience that give him credability. He is presently a professor of physics at the University of Virginia and was the recipient of a State of Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award. He posseses a PhD from Stamford University and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He is well known as a researcher in the field of physics and has won numerous awards for his work from organizations such as the American Physical Society, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research.
What Do the Trusted Sources Say?
Many negative articles claim that microwave cooking sucks the nutrients out of food. According to Consumer Reports Magazine, this is not true. The technicians and scientists at Consumers Union, the organization that publishes Consumer Reports, say that "microwave-cooked food may retain vitamins and minerals better than stove-top-cooked food because the microwave zaps food quickly and without much water. The longer you cook food in liquid, the more nutrients may seep out, which is fine for soups and stews, but it's a problem if you discard the liquid before eating. One study found that spinach retained all of its folate when cooked in a microwave, compared with 77 percent when cooked on a stove".
Consumer Reports is quick to say that microwave ovens can leak radiation. However, they make it clear that it is unlikely. They indicate that the Food and Drug Administration allows for some leakage. However, this leakage is at levels that are far below any known to cause harm. Further, it states that microwave ovens stop producing radiation once the door is opened and they suggest that you don't attempt to operate a microwave if the door is broken.
Consumer Reports also addresses the accusation that microwave ovens cause cancer. They make it clear that intense microwave radiation can cause burns, temporary sterility, and even cataracts, since the a microwave oven can heat body tissue in the same way it heats food. However, for this to occur, one would have to be exposed to levels that are much higher than the allowable limits for leakage. Therefore, I would conclude that keeping one's body parts out of the oven when it's operating would be a simple way to avoid getting cancer from your microwave.
Many negative articles also claim that microwaves change the molecular structure and composition of food by ejecting some electrons from atoms and forming cancer-causing free radicals. According to Professor Bloomfield, "microwaves don't affect the molecular structure of the food, except through the thermal effects we associate with normal cooking (e.g., denaturing of proteins with heat and caramelizing of sugars). That's because, like all electromagnetic waves, microwaves are emitted and absorbed as particles called "photons." The energy in a microwave photon is so tiny that it can't cause any chemical rearrangement in a molecule. Instead, it can only add a tiny amount of heat to a water molecule. During the microwave cooking process, microwave photons stream into the food and heat it up. But millions of them would have to work together in order to cause non-thermal chemical changes in the food molecules and they don't normally do that. The photons can only work together if there is a conducting material, such as a metal wire, inside the oven. In that case, the photons can accelerate mobile electric charges along the conducting paths and create sparks. Such sparks can cause chemical damage, but nothing worse than the chemical damage caused by scorching food with a flame or broiler. Even if your microwave is full of sparks for some reason, I doubt that the food will be any worse for you than it would be if you cooked it over an open flame or barbecue".
Now that you have accurate information from reliable sources, don't throw away your microwave oven. Use it with the same degree of care you would when using any other cooking method.
Comments
Naireeta on July 18, 2020:
This article was extremely helpful.Thank you so much sir.
kiwi-Ian on January 18, 2015:
to ElGringo - congrats, still going.
to Anthony Walton, I have an Honours B.Sc. in Animal Sciences with Biomechanics, does that mean I outrank you. Please re-read my comments above. MW ovens are no less safe than a standard oven or stove and in many cases are safer. That's physics, empirical, provable and repeatable.
to KurliQ - just who profits? It isn't US business as 80% of MW ovens are imported. Why would they supply misinformation for nothing? The alternatives however (toaster ovens etc) ARE US made, surely if money were the object, US business would be anti MW ovens. Or maybe the whole anti MW oven brigade is just a facade for US business!! Please re-read my comments above.
to Nef - I agree, my son did the experiment for a school science fair project and got similar results to you. A pity detractors don't actually DO the experiment themselves. But then many of them don't understand the basic principles of science.
to HZ, no you are not ridiculous, one should respect everyone. However the notion that MW ovens spoil food and cause more harm than conventional cooking is unsupported by the evidence, much of the "evidence" supplied by the anti MW oven brigade is taken out of context, unreliable or simply false. Conclusions should be based on a balanced research by an open mind. To come to a conclusion based on unreliable evidence while not even considering the large amount of "orthodox" evidence is risky, respectable but risky.
HZ on January 17, 2015:
"Maybe it's time to give up that ridiculous notion!"
So i am ridiculous because i don't want to use one. Maybe it's time to respect others and realize that even trusted sources can be bought.
Nef on January 10, 2015:
I did the microwave water experiment with tomato seeds. They all germinated and grew just fine, just as well and some even looking better than the regular water, and the stove top boiled water.
KurliQ on January 08, 2015:
Wow, whoever wrote this article is an idiot! Microwaves ARE harmful - follow the money trail for those who say otherwise. You'll find they have some vested interest for saying so. Microwaves, cell phones, wireless internet, GMO Frankenfoods - NONE of it is safe! This information is put out there by those who stand to profit, and who value earning their billionth dollar at the expense of your health, our food supply, and the health of our environment!
Anthony Walton on December 20, 2014:
I have a degree in biochemistry. I will not have a microwave oven in my house. I avoid microwaves. From years of research, I have found a definite link between microwaves and cancer. I do use my cell phone. It is uncharged, sitting in my car so if I happen upon an emergency, I can call authorities. It is obvious, they are throwing up so much disinformation about the dangers of microwaves, the viewer will think microwave ovens are safe. They are not - end of story.
jj on December 20, 2014:
Would love to know the truth on this issue.
As for damaging food etc, I find all that to be perfectly believable, but not necessarily true. It seems logical and I can imagine the information being suppressed, but also unlikely that there wouldn't be more outcry from the science folk. This article, while it offers some relief and I don't feel like I have to throw out my microwave, does not assuage concern entirely. I will use my microwave more sparingly in the future but I definitely won't get rid of it.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on October 21, 2014:
The source you quoted is not a reliable source of information. It's an on-line website that permits people to post whatever they please without requiring any authentication whatsoever. Please do some research using reliable sources that require authentication and you'll see that there are no such studies with conclusions anything like this. On the contrary, many have tried to prove that microwaved food changes in some way that results in serious health problems for those who consume it. They have all failed to do so. Maybe it's time to give up that ridiculous notion!
marcel de grijze on October 21, 2014:
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND BIO-SCIENCE
EFFECT OF MICROWAVE EXPOSED MICE FEED ON THE HEMATOLOGICAL
PARAMETERS OF SWISS ALBINO MICE.
PRIYANKA RAGHUVANSHI, PRIYANKA MATHUR, RUCHISHA SETHI, VIDHI KUMAWAT,
KUSUM CHOUDHARY
Department of Life Sciences, The IIS University, Jaipur
.
Accepted
Date: 15/09/2013; Published Date: 27/10/2013
Abstract
:
Microwave is recent technological advancement which has reduced cooking time
considerably. There are certain reservations related to use of microwave oven. In the present
study mice were given the microwave exposed food for as their normal dietary intake
for 2 weeks, 3 weeks 4 weeks and 4 weeks recovery (for 4 weeks microwaved food and 4 weeks
normal food) after which autopsies were performed. Animals were divided into 3 groups
namely Experimental, Control, and Sham. After the period of feeding the haematological profiles were investigated .The results revealed statistically significant decrease of red blood
cells, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and increase of the white blood cells.
Keywords:
Microwave Oven, Haematological profile, RBC, WBC
Priyanka Raghuvanshi, IJPRBS, 2013; Volume 2(5):59-66
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on September 21, 2014:
@anthony. Microwave ovens do NOT use radiation to cook food. And as it pertains to lying, I am quite certain that you are lying about having a degree of any kind. I refuse to believe that any university of this Earth would issue a degree to a moron.
Anthony Walton on September 21, 2014:
I have a degree in Biochemistry. This site lies extensively about the 'safety' of microwave radiation. Radiation from any source is unsafe. Anyone that that tells you different is lying to you. The question is it intentional or just not knowing.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on September 18, 2014:
@Dayna - You criticize the FDA with a very specific allegation. So, where's your proof? You are an obvious proponent of juicing and eating organic. So, where's the proof? You refer to EMF's being real, making the backhanded assertion that they cause cancer. Again, where's your proof? You also refer to microwaves as producing radiation when scientists make it clear that they do not cook food through radiation at all. And once again, where's your proof. You said one thing that is very definitely correct. "Some people use whatever info as an excuse because they don't want to give up that fast tasty treat." Your tasty treat is your unfounded, mythical beliefs that you insist on eating despite the overwhelming proof that you are wrong. Maybe the electric wires in the walls in your home have created and EMF that has stunted the growth of your brain and made it impossible to argue intelligently.
Dayna Wright from Spokane, Washington on September 18, 2014:
Most people WITHOUT cognitive dissonance would never look at the FDA as credible resource. They are bought and sold crooks that allow many things banned in other counties. Give me a break . Some people use what ever info as an excuse because they don't want to give up that fast tasty treat. The easy pill instead of juicing and eating organic. EMF's are real, radiation is real from these. My grandma was given a heart attack with her pacemaker standing next to a microwave. She was warned to stand back from it for a reason. Ignore everything for your easy pills. Ignorance is bliss... I'm so glad not everyone here has
cognitive dissonance.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on August 30, 2014:
@Blissful - sorry, but the information in the link you provided is nothing more than somebody's summary of what others said. On top of this, neither of the two people quoted have any expertise that would make them experts in the field. One is a self-appointed nutrition expert and the other is a physician with a very dubious background. I prefer good ole fashioned factual information derived through scientific inquiry rather than unsupported statements from people who possess no expertise in the field.
BlissfulWriter on August 30, 2014:
I too have research the topic on both sides. While much of the evidence is on that side that microwave oven are safe, there was a couple of arguments on the other side that warrants consideration. The post here ...
http://webmarksonline.com/does-microwave-alter-the...
gives links and quotes of evidence on both sides.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on August 24, 2014:
@faith - I'm going to be polite despite you use of foul language and your obvious disdain for intellectuals and educated people. This experiment was done by Snopes.con and the outcome you describe didn't happen at all. Your just another example of the kind of people that believe in feel good science. If you see the results of the Snopes experiment, will you finally believe or will you find some other ridiculous argument to support your foolishness?
Faith on August 24, 2014:
This article is bullshit. Im gonna cut to the chase here. Anyone skeptical about how dangerous microwaves are need to do this experiment..... Plant seeds into a pot. Water one pot with water that has been microwaved, and the other with water that hasn't been microwaved. The seeds soaking up the microwaved water will never sprout!!!! That should be enough proof that clearly microwaves arnt safe! You don't need to be a scientist, have a degree, or have a high IQ to prove anything, just do the experiment for yourself because the results you get say it all. Microwaves are NOT SAFE.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on May 11, 2014:
@Jene - I haven't tried the test you described, but I will. I am definitely curious and Consumer Reports is certainly a reliable source of information. However, I can comment on the logic. There are numerous reasons why a phone doesn't ring when it's called. Therefore, if your phone doesn't ring, I wouldn't be quick to conclude that your microwave oven doesn't leak. That being said, microwave ovens are still just as safe as any other kitchen appliance.
Jene Monica on May 11, 2014:
I read an article in Consumer Report that gave a quick way to check to see if your microwave was leaking. Place your cell phone inside the microwave (do not turn it on), close the door, and call your cell phone. If you hear it ringing you have a leak - if it doesn't ring, your microwave is okay. How reliable do you think this is?
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on May 08, 2014:
@Hoolyjulie - TY so much for your wonderful comments. Each time I get an e-mail informing me that someone has commented on my hub, I think that it's probably another one of those loony birds who just don't like it when facts contradict the warped ideas they hold so dear. Fortunately, I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw yours and realized I wasn't going have to hand out yet another of my tongue in cheek beatings. I do want to point out that you gave me sole credit for keeping this link alive. Alas, I can not accept all of the credit myself. The multitudinous number of the loonies and their unrelenting waves of comments have been my inspiration. So glad the retorts have kept you entertained.
Hoolyjulie on May 08, 2014:
Thank you and Kiwi-lan for all the effort to "right this ship." Not only was your posting well thought out, but the support that Kiwi gave was great! Alton Brown in his book, "I'm Just Here for the Food"(p.248-251), also sites the distinction of non-ionizing (TV /radio waves) to ionizing waves...Read: Hiroshima, in how microwaves operate.
Could the greater danger of MW be more so the type of "food" people are eating as opposed to how it is heated?
Thank you both so much! I laughed out loud reading the comments and your replies! Thanks for doing this for years and keeping this link alive so I could find it!
Now, what is the next subject you are going to tackle?
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on April 17, 2014:
@Kayla - Obviously, you have stopped using microwave ovens, periods in sentences, and your head. You would be a lot better off if you started using all three again.
Kayla on April 17, 2014:
I have stopped using a microwave they have never really sat right with me. At the end the day we all have choices I choose to not use a microwave, but I don't judge or care if others do. That's just me.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on April 10, 2014:
@Rocca - Apparently, there are different kinds of morons. I commend you for ascending to the top in this regard.
First of all, I don't have to present any proof whatsoever that microwaved food is healthy and that it keeps its nutritious value. Those who claim it's dangerous and that it destroys the nutritional value of food have the burden of proof on their shoulders. Those who have claimed it's dangerous have not a single reliable study to which they can point and those who claim it destroys the nutritional value of food have conveniently left out the fact that both cooktop and oven cooking do the same to an even greater extent in general.
Now, when it comes to who will and who will not benefit from the selling of microwave ovens, let me make a few things perfectly clear. I can't think of a single microwave oven that's manufactured in the United States. And if one is, clearly almost all others are definitely not. As for myself, I have never profited a single penny from the sale of microwave ovens. In addition to this, it should be noted that sources I quoted are beyond reproach in this regard. One is an internationally famous college professor and authority who makes his living teaching and the other is the Consumers Union which is a non-profit organization that prides itself in its objectivity.
I think you should consider sticking your head in a microwave oven on the theory that the molecular structure of your brain might change and that may make you genuinely intelligent instead of a pseudo-intellect.
Rocca on April 10, 2014:
This article seems like a very sad debunking attempt. At least sources that attempt to explain the potential dangers of microwaving foods do that while doing their best to sound scientific, and explain things with some science and logic; on the other hand, this article is littered with opinion about these sources and those sources. When you can bring some scientific PROOF that microwaved food is perfectly healthy and keeps all its nutritious values, let us know.
Until then, intelligent people do not believe that microwaving food will make you drop dead immediately, but they alter the substances that are exposed to their radiation, on the molecular level. The molecular structure of the food changes. And our scientific and technological knowledge today is not even advanced enough yet to understand everything about how food benefits the body or certain foods can be carcinogenic; we're still making educated guesses about so much.
And regardless to opinions about these or those sources, a person only needs to ask themselves, who is standing to benefit from selling microwaves, and who is standing to benefit if there were no microwaves? We will still survive just fine without microwaves as a species and as societies, and no single industry or party will benefit if those radiation machines are gone.
If you want to take the risk, feel free; just don't try to sound logical when subjectively shrugging off potential true theories about the dangers of microwaving consumables.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on April 03, 2014:
@Amanda - I'm sure that you believe that you have made an amazingly strong argument condemning microwave ovens for their dangers. Unfortunately, you have said nothing whatsoever about microwave ovens other than your belief that they leak radiation. Frankly, they don't contain radiation, so you are not even correct about that. The rest of what you said is just rambling nonsense. Next time crap like that " pops into your head", keep it to yourself and spare my readers the pain.
Amanda on April 03, 2014:
Everyone knows that a cigarette won't kill you in a day, nither will the allowable leakage of radiation that the Food and Drug Admisitration say is ok. And if the Food and Drug company said it's safe then it has to be right? I mean they let sell cigarertts and let mercury into our vaccines and bpa into cans so it can leach into our food. They make sure to lable yellow #5 (tartrazine) on all lables due to the reactions in children. So what's not to trust? And that is just the first few things that popped into my head. Please feel free to show more of your "proof".
Nicolaj Rosing on March 16, 2014:
I just stumbled over the Federal Department of Home Affairs website in Switzerland. They have posted an article on Microwave ovens. Note all the references at the end. Reference 16 might be of special interest for the people in this forum as it is an old study (D. Jonker 1995) on the toxicity effect in rats when feeding them with human food being prepared in a microwave oven. They found no effects on the animals at all.
http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/strahlung/00053/006...
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on March 16, 2014:
@Rich Yu - It's always nice when someone presents documentable facts and supports the article. However, the problem appears not be the dangers of microwave ovens but rather the negative effect of their existence on the ability of some people to think or to make a credible argument.
Rich Yu on March 16, 2014:
That fact is, microwaves are even less energetic than visible light and infrared. And both of those are not ionizing. MWs too cannot possibly change the chemical composition of something in any way but thermal. It seems like people who are so afraid of MWs have not even an elementary understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and the difference between electromagnetic and particle radiation. To them, it's all "radioactive" and microwaves are somehow transmutating radionuclides into existence. I think of this everytime someones talks about "nuking" their food.
ElGringoSalsero (author) from Palm City, Florida on March 09, 2014:
Craig 23 - You're amazing! You are so right. Microwave ovens are innocent until proven guilty. There is literally no proof, unless you want to believe "lunchmoney", who we all know is way smarter than any scientists on Earth because he uses inexpensive and convenient tadpoles to prove stuff. Maybe we should take him out of the environment upon which his life depends, place him next to a microwave oven, stop feeding him, and see if he dies in a few weeks.
lunchmoney on March 08, 2014:
It's hard to argue with the person who refuses to give up a habit. It's also hard to justify the dangers of a microwave since they cannot be outright proven with one use. It's over time that these dangers become evident, but by then the evidence is often pointed to many other possible causes of a disease. If you want to do a real test.. go get a tadpole out of a local pond (or use a very tinyl fish) . Put the tadpole in a bowl and leave it next the microwave (within 1 foot) for a few weeks. This couldn't possibly harm the tadpole right? Run the microwave 5 times daily for two minutes each time. After 2 weeks you'll find the tadpole floating at the top, dead.
Craig23 on March 07, 2014:
Wow, so many people are also asking for proof that a MW is safe first. Good golly, the onus of proof is on the person making the claim, not the person defending against it! You can't prove a negative. Period, the end, for ever after until the three dimensional universe ceases to exist. Some people on this comments section need to read a f***king book, preferably one that teaches formal logical methodologies and how to understand informal logical fallacies.
Craig23 on March 07, 2014:
There are so many post hoc fallacies and straw man arguments from the people commenting on this who propose this idea of MW danger, it's no wonder they can get out of bed in the morning. My only concerns would be whether the MW companies used enough mylar to block the leakage of the hazardous energy or if there is an issue with over cooking some saturated fats, which can lead to a damage to the nutritional value of some fat types. Barring those rather weak arguments, I don't see many other legit arguments on this comments section that make any good cases against using a MW. In fact I see a lot of detractors who cannot make arguments without resorting to sophistry and mental confusion, whether they are doing it because they are willful idiots or they have an agenda, it's hard to tell.
Mel on February 28, 2014:
Gees Louise that was exhausting! and you've been going through this for 4 years!! wowsers. I sometimes use my microwave for steaming broccoli or frozen vegies and other than that it gets used for reheating meals that were cooked on stove top, slow cooker or oven, I'm usually reheating at high for up to 4 mins I do hope thats not too much as far as overcooking?? Anyways microwave is staying...I think