OBJECTIVETo assay and study the microwave leakage of 4 types of interphones.

METHODSThe radiation intensities of four types of 199 interphones were determined by the microwave leakage measure instrument of model ML-91 made in China.

RESULTSThe average intensities of microwave leakage at a distance of 5 cm from aerial part and other parts of interphones during launching [(1 316.0 +/- 144.3), (971.0 +/- 131.6) microW/cm(2) respectively] were significantly higher than during waiting [(14.4 +/- 5.3), (13.2 +/- 4.9) microW/cm(2) respectively] (P < 0.01). The average intensities of microwave leakage at a distance of 50 cm from different parts were (357.3 +/- 27.8) microW/cm(2). The daily average intensity of microwave leakage to which the head, chest and abdomen exposed was (945.5 +/- 447.1) microW.h/cm(2) in total, that exceeded the hygienic standard of microwave in China (400 microW.h/cm(2)), during the normal communication by interphones.

CONCLUSIONThe microwave leakage was higher during launching than during waiting, and was the highest at the aerial part of the interphones. The microwave radiation of most interphones was higher than the current national standard. It may lead to potential effects on the owner of interphone, so protection against it should be made.