1 This paper is a background study of an ongoing EU-funded project (SALMAR, QLK5-CT1999-01346).
2 Harvey (1990) reports that in 1990 at least 50% of households in the UK own a microwave oven. Key Note also reports that ownership of microwave ovens have grown rapidly from a virtually zero in 1980 to around 70% of households in 1993. This statistics must have increased significantly now more so with improvements in incomes and affordability of the equipment.