Microwaves : The microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum is increasingly used for a variety of purposes for example, for rapid heating. The particular microwave ovens have been known to leak dangerous amounts of microwave energy when the doors are not properly shut.

The hazards of microwaves depend on the power of the source. For instance, the low energy microwave transmitters used in educational labs do not present a danger, whereas microwave ovens do. The danger zone is in the immediate vicinity of the microwave source and the hazard is primarily due to the invisible nature and ability of the body, particularly the eyes, to absorb microwaves without any sensation. This easy absorption of radiation by body and the high thermal effects of microwaves can cause severe damage to internal organs, and anyone who has a metal plate, steel implant, heart pacemaker or other such aids can suffer severe injury from microwave radiation.

The hazards from this source in the lab can be kept at a low level by ensuring that microwave devices which operate at significant power levels are manufactured to the country's standard specifications and are maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

We hope that after reading about radiation hazards you would have understood the dangers and precautions to be taken while working with radioactive materials. You should try to implement the good practices in lab to prevent any type of casualties. The next section of this unit deals with another type of common hazard i.e. the chemical hazard, where you will study the classification, storing and handling of different types of hazardous substances.