The type of radiation emitted by MW ovens is non-ionizing. This means that unlike X-ray or UV light, it does not have potential to cause cancer. Although it possess possible heat-burn risks. Dr. Spencer himself, despite being literally surrounded by intense microwaves for a long period of his life, lived to the ripe old age of 76, dying apparently of natural causes.
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(b) Mingos, M.D.P. (2004) In: Lidstrom, P. and Tierney, J.P., Eds., Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis, Blackwell, Oxford.
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has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Microwave Reactors: A Brief Review on Its Fundamental Aspects and Applications

  AUTHORS: Kalyan Kumar Rana, Suparna Rana

  KEYWORDS: Microwave, Dielectric Heating, Loss Angle, Monomode, Multimode, Synthesis

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Access Library Journal, Vol.1 No.6, September 15, 2014

  ABSTRACT: Improved laboratory protocols for convenient and rapid transformations are highly desired in modern synthetic chemistry. Microwave irradiated reactions have received considerable attention in recent years and it is a subject of intense discussion in the scientific community. Microwave heating is more efficient in terms of the energy used, produces higher temperature homogeneity and is considerably more rapid than conventional heating methods. This technique as an alternative to conventional energy sources for introduction of energy into reactions has become a recognized practical method in various fields of chemistry. Microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) is known for the spectacular accelerations produced in many reactions as a consequence of the increased heating rate, a phenomenon that cannot be easily reproduced by classical heating means. As a result, higher yields, milder reaction conditions and shorter reaction times can often be attained. Its specific heating method attracts extensive interest not only because of rapid volumetric heating, but also for suppressed side reactions, energy saving, decreased environmental pollutions and safe operations. In this review, we will try to represent an overview on origin and fundamental features of microwave ovens and its usefulness in MAOS.