Allowable Microwave Oven Leakage

Microwave Radiation

• Microwaves used to "cook" food in a microwave have the same wavelength as the types of radiation produced by television, radio waves, electric shavers and radar devices. Microwave radiation can be harmful to humans, but it is important to understand that food exposed to microwave radiation does not becomes radioactive the way food exposed to X-rays or nuclear radiation would.

Leakage

• Concerns over the safety of microwave ovens typically take the form of radiation leaking out of the door of the microwave. True, a damaged or cracked door can leak microwave radiation, but the amounts that would leak out would be tiny. Federal regulations mandate that microwave ovens can only produce enough radiation that, even if it were somehow able to leak out all the radiation used to heat food, it would still measure well below the levels of radiation that are known to affect humans. This leakage cannot be higher than 1 mW cm--2 at 5 cm --- or approximately 2 inches --- from the oven's surface. Once microwaves are used in the home, they may not leak microwave radiation in excess of 5 mW cm--2 at 2 inches from the oven's surface.

Preventative Measures

• If you are concerned at all about microwave radiation, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to exercise simple preventative steps. Never use a microwave that has any signs of visible damage, particularly in the door. Door latches on modern microwaves are designed to stop microwave radiation production any time the door is disengaged. Also, manufacturers are required to install doors with glass and metal meshing that traps microwave radiation while allowing light to pass through. Avoid using microwaves if these two features in particular are damaged in any way.

Other Considerations

• Perhaps some of the concern over the safety of microwave ovens is due to a minor controversy that occurred in the mid-1990s. Leaking microwave radiation from microwave ovens was thought to interfere with the functioning of pacemakers. Microwaves sold during this time often featured warning labels cautioning those with pacemakers to use the oven with caution. Technological advances in both pacemakers and microwave ovens have all but eliminated worry over pacemaker interference due to microwave radiation.