Editing Cavity magnetron (section)

==Health hazards==
[[File:ISO 7010 W005.svg|thumb|150x150px|[[ISO 7010]] Warning sign: Non-ionizing radiation]]
At least one hazard in particular is well known and documented. As the [[Lens (vision)|lens]] of the [[Human eye|eye]] has no cooling blood flow, it is particularly prone to overheating when exposed to microwave radiation. This heating can in turn lead to a higher incidence of [[cataract]]s in later life.<ref name=Lipman1>{{Cite journal |volume = 33 |issue = 3 |pages = 200–10 |last1 = Lipman |first1 = R. M.|first2=B. J.|last2=Tripathi |first3=R. C. |last3=Tripathi |title = Cataracts induced by microwave and ionizing radiation|journal = Survey of Ophthalmology|year = 1988 |osti=6071133 |doi = 10.1016/0039-6257(88)90088-4 |pmid = 3068822}}</ref>

There is also a considerable electrical hazard around magnetrons, as they require a high voltage power supply.

Most magnetrons contain a small amount of [[beryllium oxide]]{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} for the insulators, and [[thorium]] mixed with [[tungsten]] in their [[Hot cathode|filament]]. Exceptions to this are higher power magnetrons that operate above approximately 10,000 volts where positive ion bombardment becomes damaging to thorium metal, hence pure tungsten (potassium doped) is used. While thorium is a radioactive metal, the risk of cancer is low as it never gets airborne in normal usage. Only if the filament is taken out of the magnetron, finely crushed, and inhaled can it pose a health hazard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansto.gov.au/NuclearFacts/BenefitsofNuclearScience/Inthehome/ |title=In the home – ANSTO |author=Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation |website=www.ansto.gov.au |access-date=5 May 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905142025/http://www.ansto.gov.au/NuclearFacts/BenefitsofNuclearScience/Inthehome/ |archive-date=5 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.engineerguy.com/elements/videos/video-microwave.htm |title=EngineerGuy Video: microwave oven |website=www.engineerguy.com |access-date=5 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905142309/http://www.engineerguy.com/elements/videos/video-microwave.htm |archive-date=5 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/thorium.html#exposure |title=Radiation Protection |first=US |last=EPA,OAR,ORIA,RPD |date=2014-07-16|website=US EPA |access-date=5 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061001225000/http://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/thorium.htm#exposure |archive-date=1 October 2006}}</ref>