Are old microwave ovens safe?
On One Hand: The FDA Didn’t Regulate Them Until 1971The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for consumer safety issues, did not begin regulating microwave production standards until 1971, and it offers no guarantees of safety for any ovens that pre-date this time.On the Other: It’s Unlikely the Oven Leaks Much RadiationThe major concern with microwave safety is that the ovens leak radiation, which might cause harmful effects to body tissue. The Health Physics Society says that even if you stand near an old microwave for a few seconds, the short-term exposure to such low-level radiation most likely does not present a big risk.Bottom LineAlthough there are no studies to confirm that long-term exposure to low-level radiation is harmful, the FDA says that this issue is still not resolved.
