If you accidentally touched the interior of a running microwave and felt your hand getting warm, it's essential to exercise caution and prioritize your safety.
Microwaves emit electromagnetic radiation to heat the food inside. While microwaves are designed to contain this radiation within the cooking chamber, opening the door while the microwave is running can still result in exposure to some of this radiation.
Feeling warmth in your hand after briefly touching the interior suggests that there might have been some exposure to microwave radiation. However, the warmth could also be from the hot food or steam inside the microwave. It's important to note that microwave radiation is non-ionizing, which means it lacks the energy to damage DNA and cause ionization as ionizing radiation (e.g., X-rays and gamma rays) can.
To ensure your safety when using a microwave:
Avoid opening the microwave door while it's running. Most microwaves have safety features that turn off the microwave when the door is opened, but it's best to wait until the cooking cycle is complete.
Use oven mitts or other appropriate tools to handle hot containers or dishes to avoid burns.
Allow the microwave to cool down after use before reaching inside.
If you experienced any discomfort or are concerned about your hand's well-being, it's best to seek medical advice promptly. While the risk of harm from non-ionizing microwave radiation is generally low, it's always best to prioritize safety and take any unexpected incidents seriously.