Evaluation of Electromagnetic Emissions Produced by Microwave Ovens

Abstract

Public concern about leakage from microwave ovens is present from the beginning of its use when many people believed that the leakage was similar to atomic radiation and could result in serious health problems, including cancer. This paper presents the results of the evaluation of electromagnetic emissions produced by microwave ovens that are in the area of meals of the ITM campus Fraternidad and are used by students, teachers and workers to heat food. First, measurements were made at 5 cm from the ovens to identify the maximum values of leakage generated by the ovens. Subsequently, it was evaluated the electric field level in the surrounding tables to the ovens to find the levels to which people to frequent the area were exposed. The results show that the highest level found does not exceed the limits set by international standards (5 mW/cm²) and does not even reach 1% of this value.