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MICROWAVE
OVENS
Microwaves
have three characteristics that allow them to be used in cooking:
- They
are reflected by metal;
- They
pass through glass, paper, plastic and similar materials;
and
- They
are absorbed by food.
Microwaves
are produced inside the oven by an electron tube called a
magnetron. The microwaves bounce back and forth within the
metal interior until they are absorbed by the water molecules
in the food. The absorption of energy by the water molecules
causes them to vibrate, which in turn produces heat which
cooks the food. Since microwaves are electromagnetic waves,
as is visible light, they do not make the food "radioactive."
If
a consumer suspects their microwave oven is leaking, the Department
does not recommend buying a home test kit since these may
not be accurate. Instead, the place of purchase, the manufacturer,
or the local health department may offer a measurement service.
If the oven is opened accidentally while on, the oven should
be equipped with interlocks to prevent the magnetron from
generating microwaves. The noise that many ovens continue
to make after the door is opened is usually the fan and does
not mean that microwaves are being produced.
DEP
Regulatory Requirements
Radiation
emissions from microwave ovens are regulated by N.J.A.C.
7:28-42, Radio Frequency Radiation. Emission limits
can be found within this Subchapter. For microwave ovens manufactured
after October 6, 1971, the maximum allowable leakage at any
point 5 centimeters or greater from any external surface of
the oven is 5 milliwatts per centimeter squared. Microwave
ovens manufactured before this date cannot leak in excess
of 10 milliwatts per centimeter squared from any external
surface of the oven.
There
is no registration requirement for microwave ovens used in
the home or for those used in preparing food in restaurants,
canteens and eating establishments. In addition, the use of
microwave ovens in the laboratory that are designed for consumer
use do not need to be registered. Conversely, microwave ovens
that are specifically designed for use in the laboratory,
such as microwave drying ovens or microwave digestion units,
must be registered with the Department pursuant to N.J.A.C.
7:28-48.
For
more information on this topic, please visit the following
Internet areas: Please
read this Disclaimer
prior to connecting to these websites.
FDA
information on Microwave Ovens
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