Radiation safety
|
User Safety
The concern for user safety has resulted in several independent studies and
analyses of studies on emissions from VDTs.
The National Research Council (1983) makes the following assertion:
"Present knowledge indicates that the levels of radiation emitted
by VDTs are highly unlikely to be hazardous to health. Perhaps of equal importance,
the emission levels of VDTs are far below those emitted by many common electronic
products or those present from natural sources in the environment." 1
The Swedish Medical Society (1988) makes the following statement:
"Electrophysiological measurements indicate that electric currents
far exceeding those induced into the body by radiation from a VDT occur in
relation to normal body activity, at every beat of the heart for example.
The electric currents induces by electromagnetic fields from VDTs can accordingly
be assumed to have no effects on health in this context." 2
Pregnancy
Concern has been voiced about the use of VDTs by pregnant women.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study, published
in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 1991, concluded that:
"VDT use and exposure to the accompanying electromagnetic fields were
not associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortions in this study." 3
In a study conducted by Arhus University in Denmark (Nielson and Brandt, 1989)
it is stated:
"For pregnant Danish Women, VDT work cannot be characterized as more
hazardous than other work in relation to having spontaneous abortions, children
with birth defects, premature births, babies with a birth weight that was
low either absolutely or in relation to the duration of pregnancy, or stillbirths
and children who do not survive the first year." 4
The Canadian Health Protection Branch, Health and Welfare, (1988) affirms:
"There is no scientific or medical evidence at the present time to
indicate that any person, male or female, young or old, pregnant or not,
(should) be concerned about radiation health effects from VDTs." 5
The American Medical Association (1987) convened a Council on Scientific Affairs
and issued a report that concluded:
"No association has been found thus far between radiation emissions
from VDTs and reported spontaneous abortions, birth defects, cataracts, or
other injuries. Complaints of health effects, both perceived and real, are
most apt to be ergonomically related or to result from stressors peculiar
to the work or work environment. For the moment, it is essential to realize
that the nature of the task may be more responsible for workers' symptoms
rather than the equipment." 6
A study by the Bureau of Radiological Health (1981) reaches the conclusion
that:
"...emission levels from the terminals tested, both under normal operating
and worst-case conditions, fell within the standards and guidelines currently
in effect for each type of radiation. Thus, video display terminals (units)
should not pose a radiation risk to those who operate them." 7
Another study, conducted by Duke University (Wolbarscht, O'Foghludha, Sliney,
Guy, Smith and Johnson, 1980) concludes:
There is no biological hazard from electromagnetic radiation associated
with the visual display unit. In most cases, the emission level was below
that known to have any biological effect at all, much less approaching any
hazardous levels, often by orders of magnitude." 8
Vision
Another concern that has been investigated is whether VDTs have an effect
on the human visual system. A study completed in 1989 of 31,570 subjects by
the eye clinic of the Italian Institute of Occupational Medicine (Bardelli,
Cavara and Bietti) found no correlation of VDT use and eye disease.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (1992) has stated that:
"Based on available scientific evidence, the American Academy of Ophthalmology
considers video display terminals (VDTs) to be safe for normal use and to
present no hazard to the eye." 9
|
