Is Induction Cooking Safe For Human Health- Hazards Of EMF Radiations
Induction cooktops work on electromagnetic energy like microwave ovens. In this way, the items are heated up inside out using electromagnetic energy. For this purpose, a very high amount of EMF energy is used to heat up the cookware. It arises the question that is induction cooking safe for human health?
You might be aware of the invention of the microwave oven that uses high-frequency radio waves for food preparation.
Similarly, medium frequency radio waves are used in induction cooking to cook the food rapidly and save energy. Initially, induction stovetops were used in commercial kitchens, and now they are getting popularity in modern home kitchens.
Before we talk about the safety of induction cooktops, let’s have a deep look at induction cooking.
Contents
Principle of Induction Cooking
A medium-frequency Alternating Current (20-100 kHz) flows beneath each cooking zone of the induction stove. This current is enough to create a strong magnetic field of the same frequency.
It is passed through the ceramic cover and penetrated to the pan that is placed on the cooktop. Eddy current (circular current in the base of the pan) is produced in the pan due to a magnetic field, and this mechanism is called induction.
The base of the induction cookware should be magnetic-friendly; otherwise, you can’t cook on the induction hob. When eddy current passes through the base of the pan, the magnetic friendly material causes resistance. This resistance to the eddy current produces intense heat in the cookware that is used for cooking purposes.
Is Induction Cooking Safe?
There is no doubt induction cooktops are the safest options that you can consider. There is no risk involved in food burning due to perfect temperature control features.
Let’s have a look at some points that prove how induction cooktop is safe for you and your family.
Every induction cooktop consists of smart sensors that make sure safety. They turn off the stove automatically when they sense that you have left the cooktop on accidentally. This feature makes induction cooking safe in a smart way.
However, in gas and electric cooktops, it can be harmful if you accidentally left the stove on and cause serious issues. Additionally, it will not burn the sides of vessels and keep them clean always.
Perfect temperature control:The induction hobs transfer heat to the pan quickly and also cool down rapidly. You don’t need to wait a lot as it is very responsive.
Moreover, if you are in a hurry, you can cook food quickly by setting the temperature at high points.
On the other hand, if you want slow cooking, like making soup, you can set a minimum temperature limit that will cook the food slowly and keep it warm. So, there is no threat of food being burnt.
Auto Shut-OffIf you put an empty vessel on the cooktop, it will turn off automatically within seconds.
Furthermore, if the cookware gets too hot, the cooktop will automatically beep and switch off. It is an awesome and such a handy feature that you will not get in electric or gas cooktops.
Control DialAre you in a hurry or in an emergency? No worries, the induction stove consists of more than one element on the control dial that will let you perform different operations.
The best of them is the pause button that ensures your safety. You can stop the cooking midway in case of leakage, spills, or anything else that requires a break from cooking.
When you press the pause button, all the buttons will lock, and the stove will stop the operation
Child safety lock button:The thing that makes induction stoves more safe and secure for children is the child safety lock button.
Using this feature will keep the display active, but all the functions and features will be turned off. Only the power on/off button will be active. In this way, it will keep you safe from bigger misshapes.
PortabilitySince the induction hobs have a slim and smart design, you can adjust them anywhere in the house safely.
Due to its slim designs, it doesn’t require space more than 2-inch thickness vertically below the countertop.
However, you can’t use other cooktops like gas stoves at different places. You need to have a gas connection where you want to use them
Safety cut off featureThis safety feature exists in almost all induction stoves. In this feature, the cooking hob is switched on for a limited time period without any alert of any temperature. When it reaches the time limit, it will shut down automatically.
The feature depends on the heat settings of the cooktop at that time. It means lower the heat settings will keep the stove on for a longer time.
However, some cooktops have the benefit of remaining power on low sim for many hours.
On the other hand, the highest settings will automatically shut off the induction stove after one and a half hours.
This safety feature exists in almost all induction stoves. In this feature, the cooking hob is switched on for a limited time period without any alert of any temperature. When it reaches the time limit, it will shut down automatically.
The feature depends on the heat settings of the cooktop at that time. It means lower the heat settings will keep the stove on for a longer time. However, some cooktops have the benefit of remaining power on low sim for many hours.
On the other hand, the highest settings will automatically shut off the induction stove after one and a half hours.
The heat present around the cooktop is called residual heat. The induction stoves have a residual heat light that automatically turns bright when it senses residual heat. Having this light will help you to know it’s time to let the induction cool down for a few moments.
Caution When Using Induction Cooktops
A study revealed that EMF exposure exceeds the maximum EMF exposure when a person stands near to the induction. There is a certain limit of EMF exposure defined by scientists that don’t harm the human body. But the study revealed that the induction stoves cross that limit.
There are some restrictions defined by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Almost all induction stovetops cross that limit.
Precautions
Since induction cooktops have added a great level of convenience in our lives, there must be some solutions that can keep the human body safe from EMF exposure. Adopting the following points can help you a lot and keep you safe on induction cooktop while cooking:
Since it is a matter of health, let’s dive into EMF’s details, what it is and how it is linked with induction cooking.
Electromagnetic Fields
Both electric and magnetic fields are invisible areas of energy, and the main source of their production is electricity. Now, you all know what electricity is. Basically, it’s a movement of electrons or current through a wire that we use for different purposes.
Coming on the main topic, the magnetic field forms with the flow of current through any electrical device or wire. As the current flow increases, the magnetic field’s strength also increases.
As you will increase the distance from the magnetic source, the strength of the magnetic field will also decrease. Its measuring unit is microteslas.
If we talk about the electric field, it is produced whether the device is turned on or not. Moreover, any object like walls can weak it easily. On the other hand, a magnetic field is only produced when current passes through a wire or any device. Additionally, the magnetic field can pass through any object like living things, buildings, and most materials.
Categories of EMFs
There are generally two main categories of EMFs:
Low to Mid-frequency EMF:
These EMFs include magnetic fields from appliances and electrical power lines, microwaves, radio waves, etc. These radiations are non-ionizing and part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, These are weak radiations and make induction cooking safe for humans.
High-frequency EMFs:
X-rays, Ultraviolet Rays, and gamma rays exist in this category. These are part of the ionizing electromagnetic spectrum and can penetrate the human body. Very harmful and can damage cells and DNA directly
Harmful EMF
EMFs having very long wavelengths and very short wavelengths exists in the electromagnetic spectrum. Both ionizing and non-ionizing radiations exist.
The ionizing EMF is harmful to the human body because it can penetrate and damage the cells directly. SO it is highly recommended to avoid that type of electromagnetic field.
EMFs in induction cooktops
Induction cooktops are safe as they have non-ionizing radiations. However, you also need to be precautions as the non-ionizing radiations can also be harmful at high levels. But you don’t need to worry as it can’t damage the cell, and there is no evidence of cumulative effects.
While cooking on an induction cooktop, if you feel some symptoms like headache or dizziness, it is great to move away from it. The symptoms will stop, and there will be no permanent effect on your body.
There is no prominent proof that induction cooktops emit such radiations that can harm you. However, we recommend standing at some distance while cooking on induction.
Conclusion
Induction stoves have made the cooking task so easy that other cooktops can’t. Furthermore, induction cooking is safe enough that other cooktops can’t offer such safety features.
However, induction cooktops generate heat with EMFs, so it is better to take some safety measures for your health. Although the EMFs from induction cooktops are not harmful, standing at least one foot away from the cooktop is better.
If there are patients on pacemakers or similar medical treatments, it is highly recommended they go away from induction cooktops. In the latest cooktops, antimagnetic shields are being developed.
Embedding this technology in modern cooktops will ensure the safety 100% and no cause of worry about the past. Hope this article was helpful for you and you got information on how induction cooktops are safe for your health.
