Workplace Microwave Health Query
Sun Herald
Sunday November 17, 2002
BOSSES have been warned that microwave ovens in workplace staffrooms could be emitting potentially unsafe levels of radiation even though the machines show no obvious signs of damage.
Authorities suggest regular checks to ensure ovens are not leaking and therefore breaching employers' duty of care requirements under occupational health and safety laws.
Testing company Microwave Safe Australia, which has contracts with mostState Government departments and organisations, said it regularly removes the ovens from schools, hospitals and office kitchens because they failedto meet radiation leakage standards.
The Sydney-based company said even if a microwave appears to be intact, workers using it may still be exposed to excessive radiation levels.
Microwave Safe's senior radiation surveillance officer, Jason Crosson, said excessive levels of radiation could affect a person's central nervous, cardiovascular and reproductive systems as well as hearing and vision.
© 2002 Sun Herald
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