Microwave Oven Leakage: A Radiation Hazard?

Overview

Objectives/Goals The purpose of this project was to determine whether older microwave ovens emit (leak) more radiation than newer microwave ovens. This is an important question because today microwave ovens are often used on a daily basis. I hypothesized that newer microwave models would have less microwave leakage than older models. Methods/Materials For each test I placed a raw potato in the microwave, moved the setting to High and took readings after 30 seconds while the microwave was in use. I located 30 microwave ovens in different households in order to perform my tests. I used a Microwave Leakage Detector to measure 2.45 GHz radiation leakage at 3cm, 5cm, 15cm, and from 30cm. For each test unit, I had the owner complete a questionnaire regarding the make and model and approximate age of the microwave oven. Results The federal government sets microwave emission limits at 5mW/cm2 at 5.0cm. The highest intensity of 2.45GHz microwave radiation detected from a distance of 3cm in my experiment was 9.40 mW/cm2 from a 6-year-old Kitchen Aid microwave oven. The lowest amount of microwave leakage at 3cm was 0.67mW/cm2 from a 12-year-old Whirlpool microwave oven. The highest microwave leakage at 5.0cm was 4.33 mW/cm2 and came from a 6 year old Panasonic microwave oven. The lowest microwave leakage from a distance of 5.0cm was 0.45 mW/cm2 from a 2 year old Sharp microwave. The highest emission at 15.0 cm was 1.52 mW/cm2 from the same 6 year old Panasonic, and the lowest was 0.24 mW/cm2 from a 2 year old Sharp microwave oven. At 30.0cm, the highest microwave emission intensity was 2.31 mW/cm2 from a 7.5 year old General Electric, and the lowest emission was 0.14 mW/cm2 from a 2 year old Sharp Carousel. Conclusions/Discussion According to my tests, there was no correlation between the age of the microwave and the amount of radiation emitted. Some newer microwaves had low leakage and some had higher leakage. Older microwaves also varied in their results. All microwave ovens tested fell within the federal guidelines for emissions set at 5mW/cm2 or less from a distance of 5cm. The highest emissions from a distance of 30cm were 2.31mW/cm2 or less, which suggests people would have little exposure if they remained one foot (30 cm) or more from a microwave oven while it is use.

Competition history

• CSEF 2010 Product Science (Physical) (Junior Division Only) · Entry J2229

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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