The move follows the release of a bulletin from Microwave Australia claiming that businesses may be breaking the law if they do not test their ovens for radiation leakage.
Official advice from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (ARPAN) Agency has confirmed that microwave ovens are safe, and do not require testing, as long as they are in good condition and used in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
The Agency has released a fact sheet which dispels many of the myths surrounding domestic and commercial microwave ovens including:
Microwaves are extremely high frequency radio waves which agitate water molecules in the food to produce heat. The speed of heating depends on the moisture content, shape, volume and mass of the food portion.
In the case of human tissue, excessive heating could have serious health effects such as deep tissue burns and hyperthermia. In rare occasions this may occur if thedoor on your microwave is damaged so check that it fits squarely, is in good condition and closes smoothly.
For more information about your microwave, visit the ARPAN website at www.arpansa.gov.au.
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