The influence of microwave radiation on transdermal delivery systems

It has been alleged that the exposure of a transdermal delivery system to leakage of microwave radiation from a domestic microwave oven can result in the user receiving a second-degree burn in the area of the patch. Several transdermal delivery systems were exposed to microwave radiation from an Electro Medical Supplies Microtron 200 microwave diathermy unit. Temperature rises of up to 2.2 degrees C were recorded at a maximum power density of 800 W/m2. These temperature rises were considered insignificant compared to that required to produce a burn. The exposure of transdermal delivery systems to a microwave diathermy field or lower level leakage radiation from a microwave oven is unlikely to cause direct thermal injury to the wearer.