How safe are microwave ovens?
Microwaves generated in microwave ovens, like visible light from light globes, cease to exist once the electrical power to the magnetron is turned off. They do not remain in the food when the power is turned off and they cannot make the food or the oven radioactive. Therefore, food cooked in a microwave oven presents no radiation hazard. All microwave ovens have at least two safety interlock switches which stop the generation of microwaves immediately the door is opened. The design of microwave ovens is such that the microwaves are contained within the oven, but it is possible for some leakage to occur around the door. However, the design of oven door seals limits this leakage to a level well below that recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council.ยน In Australia, all State Electricity Authorities have gazetted domestic microwave ovens as prescribed items. That is, before any domestic microwave oven is sold, a sample of each model has to be tested and approved to the
