Extech EMF300 Warranty
Consumer Health Information
www.fda.gov/consumer
www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/microwave112107.html
Use Your
Microwave Safely
Did You Know?
• FDA regulates the manufacture of
microwave ovens.
• Microwave ovens must comply with
strict FDA emission limits.
• An important part of microwave oven
safety is proper use and maintenance.
he microwave oven has become a fixture of the
American kitchen. According to Appliance Magazine,
T
only DVD players and digital televisions were
shipped out of U.S. factories in greater numbers than
were microwave ovens and ranges during 2006.
Photo : FDA/Mi chael Er mart h
FDA regulates the manufacture
of microwave ovens and, under
a strict safety standard, sets and
enforces rules of performance to
assure that radiation emissions
do not pose a hazard to public
health.
An important part of microwave oven safety is proper use and
maintenance, as recommended by
the user manual.
1 / FDA Consumer Health Informat ion / U.S. Food and Drug Administration NOVEMBER 12, 2008
Consumer Health Information
www.fda.gov/consumer
www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/microwave112107.html
Don’t operate a microwave oven if
the door doesn’t close firmly or is bent,
warped, or otherwise damaged.
Here is more information to help
ensure safe use of your microwave.
How Microwaves Cook
Microwave oven safety begins with
understanding how these time- and
energy-saving technological wonders
work.
Microwaves—the actual waves produced by these ovens—are a type
of electromagnetic radiation. These
waves cause water molecules in food
to vibrate. These vibrations, in turn,
produce the heat that cooks the food.
The waves are produced by an electron tube within the oven called a
magnetron. They are reflected within
the oven’s metal interior; can pass
throug h glass, paper, plastic, and
similar materials; and are absorbed
by food.
Contrary to popular belief, microwave ovens do not cook food from
the “inside out.”
Microwave Ovens and Health
Manufacturers must certify that their
microwave ovens comply with strict
FDA emission limits. The emission
limits are well below the threshold
for risk to public health.
Most injuries related to microwave
ovens are the result of serious thermal burns from hot containers, overheated foods, or exploding liquids.
There have been extremely rare
instances of radiation injury due to
unusual circumstances or improper
servicing.
Safety Tips for Operation
• Follow the manufacturer’s
instruction manual for
recommended operating
procedures and safety precautions.
• Don’t operate a microwave oven
if the door doesn’t close firmly
or is bent, warped, or otherwise
damaged.
• Never operate a microwave oven if
you have reason to believe it will
continue to operate with the door
open.
• Refer to the instruction manual
for your oven. Some microwave
ovens should not be operated
when empty.
What Else Should You Know?
Microwave-Safe Containers: Use
cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven.
Glass, ceramic containers, and all
plastics should be labeled for microwave oven use. Generally, metal pans
or aluminum foil should not be used.
The microwaves reflec t of f t hem, c ausing food to cook unevenly and possibly damaging the oven.
Er upted Hot Water Phenomena:
Hot-water eruption can occur if you
use a microwave oven to super-heat
water in a clean cup. (“Super-heated”
means the water is hot beyond boiling temperature, although it shows
no signs of boiling.)
A slight disturbance or movement
may cause the water to violently
explode out of the cup. There have
been reports of serious skin burns
or scalding injuries around people’s
hands and faces as a result of this
phenomenon.
Adding mat er ia ls suc h as in sta nt cof fee or sugar to the water before heating
greatly reduces the risk of hot-water
eruption. Also, follow the precau-
tions and recommendations found in
microwave oven instruction manuals;
specifically the heating time.
Pacemakers: Today’s pacemakers are
now designed to be shielded against
electrical interference. Consult with
your physician if you have concerns.
Checking For Leakage: There is
little cause for concern about excess
microwaves leaking from ovens unless
the door hinges, latch, or seals are
damaged. If you suspect a problem,
contact the oven manufac turer; a
microwave oven service organization;
your state health department; or the
closest FDA office, which you can
locate online by visiting www.cfsan.
fda.gov/~dms/district.html.
This article appears on FDA’s
Consumer Health Information Web
page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which
features the latest updates on FDAregulated products. Sign up for free
e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/
consumer/consumerenews.html.
For More Information
Protect Your Health
Joint FDA/WebMD resource
www.webmd.com/fda
FDA Center for Devices and
Radiological Health
www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/
microwave.html
U.S. Government Food Safety
Web Site
www.foodsafety.gov/ ~fsg/f s-mwave.html
2 / FDA Consumer Health Informat ion / U.S. Food and Drug Administration NOVEMBER 12, 2008
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