Do microwaves leak radiation?

Microwaves can leak radiation.


True, though it's unlikely. While the Food and Drug Administration does allow for some leakage (at levels far below any known to cause harm), it also requires that microwaves stop producing radiation once the door is opened. Bottom line: Don't operate a microwave if the door is broken.

Comments

[Hayley]

When the food is being heated and is cooking, my microwave has steam coming out of the sides of the door (there is a gap of about 1/2mm around the door frame). Does this mean that it is leaking radiation, and is this on a dangerous level? Is it time to get a new microwave?!

[Kate]

Hayley, my (GE) microwave's manual actually has a section called Things That Are Normal. "Steam or vapour escaping from around the door" is apparently one of them. I don't know anything about your microwave in particular, but I wouldn't worry.

[jim]

i sit at the back of a microwafe oven at work, is it dangerous , Am I getting radiation ?

[J. Stevenson]

I have worked with electronics over 40 years and while I knew the dangers of close radiation exposure and did encounter quite a few "leaking" microwave ovens, I did allow myself to be exposed on occasion.There is a simple test to determine if your Microwave is leaking microwave radiation, most electronic repair services have equipment to do so. The quality of construction is very important, many of the cheaper brands have a much higher liklihood of leaking. Since I have been exposed, I know what it feels like, a very severe leak can actually feel like you have an electric current running under your skin, any time you feel that, shut off the device and unplug it and seek service or throw it away, that is a very dangerous leak! A mild leak over a period of about a minute may cause a mental fog if you are close to the source, this may progress into a severe headache if you do not stop the source or move away from it. This effect is also dangerous but perhaps not so much as the earlier effect, none the less the oven should not be used and requires service. These are only my personal experiences, but they may help someone that is experiencing these effects to realise that they have a leak, and help protect them from further risk. I am not a medical professional and so can not offer medical risk evaluation, but if you have something in question, I would suggest caution!

[Chris]

Our Kenmore microwave is 11 yrs old. The plastic on the front of the door is cracked. Could this cause a radiation leak?

[Jean]

They're using the word "radiation" in the technical sense -- any electromagnetic energy. It's high-frequency radio energy (radar, basically) not gamma rays or something. Radiation as in radio, not radiation as in nuclear.