Are Ultrasonic Dishwashers Harmful to Humans?

Ultrasonic dishwashers are a common machine in foodservice. The unusual vibration and tingling that first-time users feel often raises a concern: are ultrasonic dishwashers harmful to humans? The CHINENG team explains the issue in detail below.

The short answer: a compliant ultrasonic dishwasher is not harmful to the human body.

What Is Ultrasound? How an Ultrasonic Dishwasher Works

Ultrasound is a mechanical wave with a very short wavelength. Sound is produced by vibration, and ultrasound is a form of sound whose lower frequency limit is above human hearing—which is why ordinary people cannot hear it. (The noise of an ultrasonic dishwasher comes from transducers vibrating the stainless steel tank. Some of that audible sound falls within the human hearing range. Note that the noise you hear is not the ultrasound itself.)

Ultrasound is used maturely in inspection, processing, cleaning, research, medicine, industrial control, pharmaceuticals, aging, and dispersion. An ultrasonic dishwasher uses its cleaning capability.

Transducers vibrate at high frequency to generate ultrasound. When the waves travel through water to the ware, the high-frequency vibration rapidly forms and violently collapses microscopic cavitation bubbles, breaking soil away from the surface of the dishes.

Are Ultrasonic Dishwashers Harmful to Humans?

In use, an ultrasonic dishwasher produces a strong vibration and a tingling sensation. First-time users may feel startled or uncomfortable and worry that the machine is harmful.

From the principle above, that sensation comes mainly from high-frequency vibration and the rapid formation and collapse of cavitation bubbles. Ultrasonic dishwashers sold in compliance with national testing limits produce far too little ultrasonic energy to harm the human body. Inferior machines that cannot even generate strong cavitation are even less capable of causing harm.

That should answer whether ultrasonic dishwashers pose a health risk. If you need an ultrasonic dishwasher, contact CHINENG. We will recommend a suitable model based on your actual operating conditions.