Evaluation of electromagnetic wave radiation emitted from household and restaurant microwave ovens

Introduction: Microwaves are a part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum that has high frequency and short wavelength. The purpose of this study is to determine electromagnetic radiation emitted from household and restaurant microwave ovens. Methods: The survey was carried out for 45 ovens used in households and restaurants. Electromagnetic radiations from different brands of microwave ovens available in Iranian market were investigated by microwave leakage detector model HI-1501. Results: The total average measured leakage was 1.11±1.3 mw/cm2 with water load test, while average measured leakage for household and restaurant user type were 1.1±1.7 and 1.1±1.2 mW/cm2, respectively. In 86.66% of the household ovens, only 25.2% emitted radiation was more than 1 mW/cm2. Ovens surveyed in households were elder than restaurant user type (2.3 ±1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 1.5). The maximum leakage was found at the door key (8.1mW/cm2) of the ovens. Three-way ANOVA to evaluate oven age, type of user and place of measuring on the leakage rate showed that there was not relationship between the quantity of radiation leakage and type of user but oven age and place of measuring were effective on the microwave leakage. 70.4% of the ovens emitted radiation was less than the public exposure limit (1 mw/cm2) and none of them emitted more than the occupational exposure limit of 5 mw/cm. Conclusion: Based on the findings in this study, no detrimental health effects are expected from microwave ovens.