Help! Microwave related (damage-microwave leak)

[InATotalPanic]

I feel a bag of mixed emotions right now, and hoping someone that knows a little more about microwaves/radiation etc etc can put my mind at ease.

To cut a long story short , over a year ago, I noticed the plastic on the inside of the microwave door coming away. Confused, I removed the rest of it, and then proceeded to contact the store from which the microwave was purchased (about 6 months prior) to ask if it was ok to use or to return. I was assured it was fine to confine to use. Just to be sure, I contacted the manufacturer, I don't know if they didn't quite understand, but anyway, I was told to send a picture of the door and then advised to place water for 2 minutes (to check for sparks, anything unusual). With the water test, nothing unusual was noticed and therefore came to the conclusion the microwave was safe to continue to use.

I did do some research, and google results led me to believe the plastic stops the mesh from getting food particles etc on it (and it is the mesh that stops the microwaves leaking).

I stopped thinking about it until recently when I tried to find a plastic sheet to replace. I found one that needed to be cut to right size (I didn't know replacements could be purchased).
I contacted the manufacturer to ask if I could purchase a replacement sheet, and the email, stating they didn't have any stock went on to say that I shouldn't use the product until this is resolved. Reading that last sentence increased my heart rate 😣

Apologies, this was supposed to be short post. I do have health anxiety and now I'm super annoyed and stressed 😩

I don't really know the point of posting this, I mean if the microwaves have been leeching out, not much I can do now 😭 maybe someone who works with microwaves or has more information can help put my mind at ease.
I've tried telling myself microwaves are non ionising; but then of course told myself long term exposure is dangerous...thank you if you've managed to read the post!

Just to add, I have emailed the manufacturer back to say I was assured it looked safe to use, but probably won't receive a reply for a few days.

A thin plastic layer is not going to stop microwaves that's what the metal is there for and as you say microwaves are non ionising so risk is really from heating/burns. Look to replace it (because it must be hard to keep clean) but don't worry about historic exposure.

Oh that's just reminded me to order a new microwave. Mines got rust on the inside 😬

I have no idea what you're talking about when you say there's a plastic sheet in the microwave. I really wouldn't worry. Do you own a mobile phone?

Put your mobile phone in the microwave, close the door. Call the mobile phone.
If it rings you could have a leak.

Ok I am overreacting 😩 (and probably live very close to a 5G mast).

There is usually a thick plastic on the inside of the microwave door covering the mesh.

Think the fact that I have been told I should have stopped using the appliance has stirred some odd emotions 😬 (but initially was told all fine).

I can't quite picture what you mean by the bit of plastic, but it's the 'mesh' bit that stops the microwaves 'leaking' out. This is beacuse microwaves have a big wavelength - i.e. the waves are really big compared to light on the visible spectrum - and the mesh size is smaller than the wavelength of the microwaves. So they can't get through the mesh, but light waves can, which is why you can see through but the microwaves can't get out and harm you.

TL;DR - the mesh is the important bit that stops the microwaves getting out and harming you.