Microwave ovens are common in kitchens and offices today. Scientists recently studied the tiny life forms living inside microwaves.
They found that even though microwaves produce strong radiation, many germs can survive inside them. Some bacteria, like Brachybacterium and Micrococcus, are found in all microwaves they tested.
In kitchens, microwaves had similar bacteria to other surfaces. Some bacteria found, like Klebsiella and Enterococcus, can be harmful, but they were not more common in microwaves than in other kitchen areas.
Household microwaves had fewer types of bacteria than shared spaces like break rooms. Laboratory microwaves had the most diverse bacteria because they are used for heating experiments.
Some bacteria in laboratory microwaves are resistant to radiation. It’s important to clean your microwave regularly to keep it germ-free.
The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
Vocabulary List:
- Radiation /ˌreɪ.diˈeɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles.
- Bacteria /bækˈtɪə.ri.ə/ (noun): Microscopic living organisms usually single-celled that can be found everywhere.
- Survive /sərˈvaɪv/ (verb): To continue to live or exist especially in spite of danger or hardship.
- Common /ˈkɒm.ən/ (adjective): Occurring found or done often; prevalent.
- Diverse /daɪˈvɜːs/ (adjective): Showing a great deal of variety; very different.
- Germ-free /dʒɜːm-friː/ (adjective): Free of germs or microorganisms.
How much do you know?
What did scientists study recently in relation to microwaves?
Which bacteria were found in all microwaves tested by scientists?
Where were fewer types of bacteria found in microwaves compared to shared spaces like break rooms?
Which type of microwaves had the most diverse bacteria according to the study?
What is recommended to keep microwaves germ-free based on the study?
Which journal published the study on bacteria in microwaves?
Microwaves can completely eliminate all bacteria inside them.
Shared spaces like break rooms had more diverse bacteria in microwaves compared to households.
Household microwaves had the least amount of bacteria types according to the study.
Some bacteria in laboratory microwaves are resistant to radiation.
All harmful bacteria found in microwaves were more common in microwaves than in other kitchen areas.
Regular cleaning is not important for keeping microwaves germ-free according to the study.
Scientists found that even though microwaves produce strong radiation, many can survive inside them.
Laboratory microwaves had the most diverse bacteria because they are used for experiments.
It is important to clean your microwave regularly to keep it .
Some bacteria found in all microwaves tested by scientists include Brachybacterium and .
Household microwaves had fewer types of bacteria than shared spaces like .
The study on bacteria in microwaves was published in the journal .