# Are microwave ovens banned in Russia? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370 "2012-05-18T22:28:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/41 "2012-08-09T20:25:30Z")
> [@FluffyBob](#): > > I would recommend deflection when dealing with this individual. Whenever she brings up the microwave stuff, pipe up about dangers fluorescent lighting and fluoridated drinking water. If that doesn’t work try vaccinations. Better, go old-school and rant about flouridation. Got to protect our Purity Of Essence, after all. Of course, it’s unlikely they’ll appreciate the classics, so best of all is to find something the individual likes (but you don’t), for instance diet cola, and make that the center of your rants. “I know! And have you heard about the carbonated water thing”. After a few conversations, you can start asking them “Are you still drinking carbonated stuff?”. Eventually, every time they bring up microwaves (or anything else), you can just say condescendingly “Oh, sure, you’re worried about microwaves, but you still drink that poison-water? Yeah, right.” ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi-Ian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@Kiwi-Ian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi-Ian)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/42 "2014-02-26T01:04:33Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > that would have been quite a surprise to Dr. Percy Spencer of Rayethon, who patented them (# 2,480,679) in 1949. His patent application actually showed them being used to pop popcorn! Er, US patents don’t actually prove anything, Americans still believe that Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb (and the British say it was Thomas Swan and the Germans disagree with both). That said, there is no actual evidence disproving Spencer’s claim and no patents elsewhere. It certainly wasn’t Nazi Germany. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/43 "2014-02-26T21:37:25Z")
I’m dubious of the radiation/nuking thing. I think it was just the quick blast effect, sort of like a nuclear explosion. That’s the feel I got from it. Press a button, kablam! you have a fried whatever. When Rush came out with their Power Windows video, there was a big blast of lights/explosion/something and one of my witty friends quipped “I thought they got nuked!” ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/44 "2014-02-26T22:42:32Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Radio waves can cause interference to electrical devices. If you’ve ever left your cell phone near your computer, you’ll often hear your speakers “chirp” due to radio waves from the cell phone inducing currents into the audio path in the computer. Basically, any piece of metal (like the wires or circuit board traces inside an electronic device, or the leads on a pacemaker) act like an antenna, and convert the incoming radio waves into electrical signals, which can then cause the device to malfunction. I’ve seen industrial controllers crash due to someone keying a walkie-talkie next to them, and the worst case that I’ve read about is a thrust reverser on an airplane accidentally deploying due to cell phone interference, causing a crash (they tell you to turn your cell phones off for a reason, folks). > > A microwave oven is just a big radio transmitter that sends all of its radio waves into a metal box instead of being connected to an antenna. While the metal box keeps most of the radio waves inside of it, some do leak out. As long as the radiated power from these leaks is small enough, it’s no biggie. Low levels of radio waves aren’t harmful (as far as we can currently tell). The heat generated by the radio waves from your cell phone is so small that it’s difficult to measure compared to the heat generated by your own body, for example. Microwaves do commonly cause interference though. Back when most folks had analog TVs, it was very common to see squiggly lines and such on your TV when you turned the microwave on nearby. These days, folks with wireless routers often lose their connection when the microwave is on, especially if the router happens to be very close to the microwave. > > If your microwave knocks your laptop offline, no biggie. You’ll reconnect as soon as the microwave turns off. If you have a pacemaker, though, the electrical currents induced into its leads can cause it to fire at the wrong time, which can totally whack out your heartbeat. That’s a bit more serious. > > Back in the 70s, this was much more of a problem. Big microwave ovens used in restaurants weren’t shielded very well, and leaked much higher levels of radio waves. Even so, the power level wasn’t high enough to cause damage to the cooks in the kitchen, who probably got more heat from the grills and deep fryers, but it was an increased risk to folks with pacemakers. Hence the warning signs that used to be common. > > These days, improvements in the design and manufacturing of microwave ovens means that even the big ones used in restaurants don’t leak as much. Also, pacemakers have improved quite a bit, and aren’t anywhere near as sensitive to radio frequency interference. So folks with modern pacemakers really don’t need to worry so much. > > I think doctors still recommend that folks with pacemakers avoid going near microwave ovens, but the risk is very small compared to what it used to be. Back in the 70s, if you had a pacemaker you really needed to be a bit paranoid about avoiding radio noise. These days, you don’t really need to worry about it. A few years ago, my mother was hospitalized and the family was gathered around her bed to learn that she was getting a pacemaker. It was all very solemn until I asked if I could have her microwave. She still has it so I guess her doctors weren’t too worried. ---
**Author:** ![kylen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@kylen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kylen)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/45 "2014-02-27T01:19:41Z")
Not only legal, but available for sale online! [LMGTFU, Comrade](http://www.tehnosila.ru/catalog/tehnika_dlya_kuhni/krupnaja_bytovaja_tehnika/svch/-/15340) ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/46 "2014-02-27T03:34:48Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > It looks like the link I posted originally is no longer valid but I found a [direct link](http://www.cspinet.org/nah/04_05/microwavemyths.pdf)(PDF) to the same paper. > > It says: > > but it does go on to say that using non-microwave approved plastics isn’t a good idea because they may melt into your food. Whether or not the chemicals are carcinogens, they can’t be good for you and should generally be avoided. I am in no way condemning microwaves or the use of plastics therein, but all plastics have a certain “extractables/leachables” profile, and adding heat absolutely increases the quantity of these chemicals released into the food. In my line of work, pharmaceutical development, we spend a lot of effort making sure that our containers dont contaminate our products, especially when they sit for long periods of time. As far as i know, the requirements for food are much less stringent, and so i dont think we have good profiles for all the different plastics that end up in a microwave. Add to that that the saran wrap people have no idea what you will put into contact with their product (acids, oils, alcohols, etc) and i am confident that we are pulling out a fair number of undesireable compounds. How much and how bad they are is probably noy well known. That said, i am also confident the risk is fairly low. But thats just an assumption on my part. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/47 "2014-02-27T05:02:00Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I am in no way condemning microwaves or the use of plastics therein, but all plastics have a certain “extractables/leachables” profile, and adding heat absolutely increases the quantity of these For “microwave safe” plastic it needs to leech less than what is considered an acceptable amount of acceptable things into the food at the temperature it is expected to reach. I’m no expert on the subject but I’m pretty sure in the USA at least the FDA requires those who advertise plastic for use in microwaves to demonstrate that it falls within acceptable levels of acceptable things leeching into the food, not that it doesn’t leech any trace amount of anything. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/48 "2014-02-27T14:07:46Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > I got your _mikrovolnovye pechi_ right [here](http://www.electroburg.ru/Katalog/Mikrovolnovye-pechi_22539). 1,445 rubles to you, comrade. > [@kylen](#): > > Not only legal, but available for sale online! > > [LMGTFU, Comrade](http://www.tehnosila.ru/catalog/tehnika_dlya_kuhni/krupnaja_bytovaja_tehnika/svch/-/15340) **FastPassenger** , _please_ send these links to your sister and let us know her response. I think we all know she won’t change her mind, but I’m very curious how she’ll explain these links. My first guess is she’ll deny these are from Russia, and then the next excuse will be that although the pages are hosted in Russia, they are being sold only to customers not in Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/49 "2014-02-27T14:08:53Z")
Shit, I didn’t realize this a zombie thread. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/50 "2014-02-27T17:44:19Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > Note that Dr. Lees’ article is followed by a lengthy legal disclaimer indicating that none of her information […] is for ‘informational purposes only’. No kidding? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/51 "2014-02-27T18:39:25Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Shit, I didn’t realize this a zombie thread. My link still works, but note that the cheapest oven is now 2,300 rubles, instead of 1,445. That’s zombieflation for you. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/52 "2014-02-27T18:54:48Z")
> [@simple\_homer](#): > > Electric oven ? In many countries people do not have the large electric ovens that you see in the USA. > In many countries people just have a gas stove or electric hotplate to do their cooking, no gas or electric ovens. My grandmother made wonderful coffee cakes and she must have learned to bake in Russia, so they must have had some kind of ovens. She cane to the US around 1900. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi-Ian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@Kiwi-Ian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi-Ian)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/53 "2017-09-12T22:47:47Z")
> [@FluffyBob](#): > > I would recommend deflection when dealing with this individual. Whenever she brings up the microwave stuff, pipe up about dangers fluorescent lighting and fluoridated drinking water. If that doesn’t work try vaccinations. If she’s anti MW ovens she’s probably anti-vaxx, anti cell-phone, anti fluoridation etc. so you’d be stoking the fire. Try the correlation between the sale of organic food and the diagnoses of autism. It’s about 0.98 and in her unscientific mind should mean that organic food causes autism. It doesn’t, scientists have other explanations, but see if a non-scientist can argue that away and then apply her arguments to MW ovens. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/54 "2017-09-12T23:55:52Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > If she lived in Adult Land, she’d know it’s up to the person _making_ the claims to _support_ them, not to the person doubting the claims to refute them. > > Otherwise, I’m the King of Thailand and you can’t prove I’m not. That’s not how the real world works, Your Royal Majesty. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/55 "2017-09-13T00:16:05Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > That’s not how the real world works, Your Royal Majesty. It’s how the portion of the Real World I pay attention to works. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/56 "2017-09-13T00:26:44Z")
On a related note, are microwaves banned in [Zombieland](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156398/?ref_=nv_sr_1)? ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370/57 "2017-09-13T00:46:03Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > It’s how the portion of the Real World I pay attention to works. You do know I was mostly joking, right? I though my inclusion of the “Your Royal Majesty” was a dead giveaway. The not “mostly” part is that modern news coverage and political punditry/sniping does NOT seem to work on, “Person X makes claim about person Y, person X provides evidence of claim against/about person Y.” It seems that person X makes claim about person Y, and then person Y has to disprove claim. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microwave-ovens-banned-in-russia/622370.md?page=2)