OK, so if you don’t already know what the term ‘wet bulb globe temperature’ means, don’t worry. We didn’t, either, before writing this blog entry.

The term refers to the way the human body ‘feels’ in response to actual temperature, real-time exposure to sunlight, and humidity. Many refer to the wet bulb globe temperature, often as WBGT, as heat index.

As the Summer months slowly start to creep into the Northern Hemisphere, and temperatures along with humidity readings begin to climb, industrial hygienists, athletic trainers, the military, Summer Camp administrators all over start to keep a close watch on the weather not just to make sure on one gets caught in the rain, but to make sure people under their charge don’t wind up getting heat stroke!

Instruments like the Heat Index Monitor Wet Bulb Globe Meter (WBGT8758) w/ 40mm Black Globe take the guesswork out of heat index monitoring and provide instant, on-the-spot heat index data.

Features of the Heat Index Monitor Wet Bulb Globe Meter (WBGT8758) w/ 40mm Black Globe include

• Ability to Measure Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) – a commonly used heat stress indicator that considers the effects of temperature, humidity and radiant energy.

• Measures Black Globe Temperature (TG) – measured by the black globe thermometer, which monitors the effects of direct solar radiation on an exposed surface.

• Monitors Ambient Air Temperature (TA).

• Provides Real-Time Relative Humidty (%RH).

• Allows users to keep tabs on conditions in direct sunlight and out of direct sunlight at the same time.

• Audible Alarm Will Go Off When Conditions Exceed User Specified Limits.

By request we have located information on the topic of dangers posed by leaking microwave ovens. Apparently some people have doubts about the safety of their oh-so-convenient cooking devices.

After doing a little reading on the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) web site, it appears as though the majority of microwave ovens do not put the general public at risk — unless the devices have obvious structural problems.

In fact, it seems that microwave ovens pose very little danger at all in so long as seals, latches, etc. all funtion the way they ought to.

There is little cause for concern about excess microwaves leaking from ovens unless the door hinges, latch, or seals are damaged. In FDA’s experience, most ovens tested show little or no detectable microwave leakage. If there is some problem and you believe your oven might be leaking excessive microwaves, contact the oven manufacturer, a microwave oven service organization, your state health department, or the nearest FDA office.

A word of caution about the microwave testing devices being sold to consumers: FDA has tested a number of these devices and found them generally inaccurate and unreliable. If used, they should be relied on only for a very approximate reading. The sophisticated testing devices used by public health authorities to measure oven leakage are far more accurate and are periodically tested and calibrated. ( source )

So basically, if your microwave oven creaks, rattles, makes obscene whirring and grinding noises, and/or operates freely even with the door open, you probably want to A) Get it repaired or B) Throw it out and buy a new one.