How much radiation is emitted from a microwave?

Following international conventions, microwave ovens at home or in restaurants operate at frequencies of about 2.45 GHz , i.e. λ = 12. 23 cm.

A microwave oven passes microwave radiation at a frequency near 2.45 GHz (12 cm) through food, causing dielectric heating primarily by absorption of the energy in water.

The FDA rules also say that only a certain amount of radiation can leak from the microwave at about 2 inches away or farther. The amount is 5 milliwatts per square centimeter , which is a level of radiation that is not dangerous to people. However, there have been some rare cases of radiation exposure.

Microwave ovens work by using very high levels of a certain frequency of RF radiation (in the microwave spectrum) to heat foods. … Microwaves do not use x-rays or gamma rays, and they do not make food radioactive. Microwave ovens are designed so that the microwaves are contained within the oven itself.1 Haz 2020