Is Induction Cooking Safe for Health?
Is induction cooking safe for health? or Does induction cooker cause cancer?
Many people like the idea of using induction cooking in their homes, RVs, campers, and dorm rooms.
It is a great way to cook food fast without having to worry about heating up the house.
Still, people worry about this option and whether or not it is healthy and safe.
Before you can understand whether induction cooking is indeed safe, you first need to learn how it works.
The Science Behind Induction Cooking
We are biased when it comes to induction cooking because of its many benefits, so we decided to focus on science and what it has to say on the matter.
Luckily, science does support the belief that using the induction cooking method is quite safe.
Though we could end right here, that’s not very helpful to you.
It’s not enough to read that it is safe; you have to know why, as well as how the cooking process works and why there are claims that induction cooking isn’t or wasn’t safe.
While you do not need to be a scientist to understand the process, you are going to need some background information.
This is going to help you learn more about how everything works so that you feel more comfortable.
How the Induction Cooking Process Works
Induction cooktops are like other appliances in your home because they use electricity to generate energy.
However, unlike other machines in the house, these cooktops have a more powerful magnetic field.
That’s one of the biggest reasons people are wary of them.
Induction cooktops are electromagnets, which means that they have copper coils that are magnetized when electrical currents pass through them.
Placing a ferrous pan on the burner allows it to become an extension of the electromagnet, which is why you can only use ferrous metals with induction burners.
The magnetic steel of the cookware catches all the heat that the cooktop gives off.
The current’s frequency can then pass straight through and to the food.
The heat loss happens excessively quickly, which is the reason why induction cooking is efficient and fast.
You can find induction cookers that work with non-magnetic cookware, but the technology is still in the beginning stages.
Since the pan becomes magnetized, the current, which is small, can pass from your cookware to your body if you touch the pan.
For this reason, many people get worried about induction technology.
However, this isn’t as scary as it is portrayed, and we are going to help you understand why.
The Controversy of EMFs
To understand why there is so much controversy surrounding electromagnetic fields, you have to go back to the 1980s.
Experiments were conducted that showed there was a correlation between power line proximity and higher rates of cancer.
These were primarily found in children in the form of leukemia.
Then, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classified EMFs as a 2b carcinogen.
This means that it could possibly be carcinogenic to humans, but there is no conclusive evidence to prove it.
Since then, scientists have done experiments all over the world to either corroborate or disprove these findings.
As of today, no one can substantiate the results for the initial study, and no one has been able to prove that living near power lines gives you a heightened risk of developing cancer in any form.
In fact, one study has shown that there is no association between proximity to power lines and children developing leukemia.
Therefore, the myth has been scientifically debunked, but people still worry.
Other Sources of EMFs
Induction cooktops aren’t the only sources of electromagnetic fields; almost every appliance in the house contains them, including microwaves, space heaters, electric toothbrushes, and more.
In a sense, anything that runs on electricity produces an EMF.
In fact, even your cell phone can produce electromagnetic fields, and you have it pressed directly against your ear while you make a phone call.
All of these appliances have been tested, and no conclusive evidence has been found.
Therefore, the radiation emitted from these electrical devices isn’t going to have a lasting or negative effect on you.
Still, the seed of doubt had been planted, and most people distrust the findings.
They claim that all EMFs are dangerous or believe the government is lying.
The “better safe than sorry” idea is often what they think is best, but that’s not really true.
The controversy and hype surrounding EMFs are rooted in fear and ignorance.
Yes, EMFs can be dangerous, and you should know when and in what circumstances.
Still, everyone encounters electromagnetic fields in their daily routine without suffering unduly.
So, What Is an EMF, Really?
An electric field can only be created when there is a difference in voltage.
It exists when there’s a negative or positive electrical charge; when the voltage is higher, the field is stronger.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a magnetic field is created when the electric current flows.
If there is a stronger current, the magnetic field is stronger.
Electric fields can exist when no current flows, but magnetic fields only happen when there is current present.
Therefore, you can see that both electric and magnetic fields exist together and can exist whenever there’s an electrical charge.
That’s why they are typically called electromagnetic fields.
These fields do have emissions, which is called radiation.
Where Do They Come From?
EMFs can come from a variety of sources.
They exist in nature everywhere, such as during thunderstorms (electric charge) and the earth (magnetic poles are used by animals and birds for navigation).
The sun is also a source of EMFs, including ultraviolet and visible light.
In fact, the sun is a perfect example to show how mixed electromagnetic fields can be.
Of course, ultraviolet rays are harmful to your skin.
Skin cancer is highly prevalent, and there are about one million cases of it each year.
Still, there could be no life on earth without the sunlight that the sun produces.
For example, photosynthesis from plants could not be possible without the sun.
Therefore, you can start to see how EMFs can’t just be labeled as good or bad.
They occur naturally, so they are all around, but it is still more complicated than that by itself.
Natural versus Man-Made EMFs
The issue isn’t that some of these EMFs are naturally-occurring; no one really worries too much about them.
However, the sun is a more dangerous radiation source than others because people are exposed to it almost every day.
Man-made EMFs are what worries people the most.
They also surround us, and you are probably bombarded with them constantly.
The device you are using to read this is a source; the fan you use is one, as well as lamps, wiring, and your WiFi.
Every electrical appliance in your house generates an electromagnetic field, which boils down to radiation.
Plus, the power lines, radio towers, and cell towers you may live next to or drive past each day are also sources.
MRIs and X-rays are also a source, though they are a bit more dangerous, and you do get appropriate gear to protect yourself when having one.
Is Induction Cooking Safe for Health?
You are probably wondering why you need to know so much about electromagnetic fields and sunlight when you just want to know if your induction cooktop is safe for your health.
The answer is yes, it is.
Nevertheless, you need the background so that you can understand why it’s considered safe.
Here is a brief explanation of why EMFs in the home are nothing to worry about:
Most modern houses have about 200 amperes of power that run through them.
The truth is that it’s not enough power to create an electromagnetic field strong enough to damage your body.
Even if you turned all of the appliances on at once and there was enough power to be harmful, stepping away from it solves the problem.
Why?
All of your household appliances emit non-ionizing radiation.
Though none of the appliances in your house are going to emit dangerous levels of it, non-ionizing radiation is less worrisome than ionizing radiation.
The only possible exception could be the microwave, but it has to malfunction and leak radiation out while you are standing right next to it to cause any problems.
Induction cooktop EMF exposure is very less to be harmful, infact it is weaker than a microwave. They generate non-ionizing radiation. Keeping a safe distance while working on it can protect you against EMFs.
What About Cancer? Does induction cooker cause cancer?
The IARC has classified low-frequency radiofrequency and magnetic fields as class 2b carcinogens.
We talked about that a little earlier, but what does that mean?
IARC defines a 2b carcinogen as a mixture that could possibly be harmful to humans.
Therefore, the exposure circumstances play a significant role.
If you have a casual relationship with a class 2b substance, there is no evidence that you are going to have a higher risk of getting cancer.
Since EMFs have been studied since the late 1970s, there have been even more studies conducted.
Most of them refute the possibility of powerlines and the development of leukemia.
To help reduce your fears, it is important to know what other items are on that list.
Pickled vegetables, coffee, and even Aloe Vera gel are all on the class 2b carcinogens list.
Coffee has been on the list since the 1970s and has been proven time and again to not be one.
Should You Still Be Skeptical?
For some people, millions of studies disproving the claims aren’t going to matter; they are still going to be skeptical of induction cooking no matter what.
If you are that worried about it, then you probably don’t use electricity at all because EMFs are everywhere.
While there is no inherent danger to you or your family, it’s healthy to be skeptical; just make sure that you’re focused on the right things.
It’s easy to find information on the internet, but it isn’t all correct or equal.
You must decide if induction cooking is safe for you and your family.
Misinformation is everywhere, and most of it is the opinions of other people.
Look to science and continue checking for new information to be sure that you’re doing the right things.
Is It Safe, Then?
The good news is that, yes, induction cooking is safe, as long as you take reasonable precautions and use the cooktop the way it is designed to be used.
Most people who are afraid of induction cooking use this study from which to quote.
It even says that there is currently no evidence showing that electromagnetic fields are dangerous.
The study says that small children and pregnant women should avoid very close contact with induction cooktops because stray radiation could penetrate them.
This often happens when the cookware isn’t properly centered.
Staying about a foot away from the cooktop when it’s in use is all the protection you need.
Still, if you go through the entire study, it explains that even being one centimeter away does not cause you to exceed the safe limits of radiation exposure.
Factor in that there aren’t any long-term effects of EMFs on health, and you can be sure it’s safe to use in your home.
What About Pacemakers?
Some pacemakers are affected by electromagnetic fields, even in the modern world.
Therefore, if you or a family member uses a pacemaker, consider talking to your doctor before you buy an induction cooktop.
Though the radiation generated isn’t likely to be strong enough to affect the device unless you’re just an inch or two away, this is a case where it could be better to be safe than sorry.
In a sense, an induction hob that affects the operation of a pacemaker doesn’t make it unhealthy or dangerous.
It just means that the appliance operates on a frequency that can interfere with the pacemaker’s frequency.
Conclusion
Is induction cooking safe for health? Do induction cooktops cause cancer?
It’s a question that many people ask, and we have talked extensively about it here.
As long as you are careful and take precautions, you should have no issues.
While electromagnetic fields do emit radiation, it is considered to be at a safe level.
Plus, you should always stand at least six inches away from the device while it is being used.
In conclusion, there are no proven health hazards of induction cooking. You really have nothing to worry about and can enjoy the benefits of an induction cooktop.
