[comp.terminals] Health Risks with Video Display Terminals

ibekhaus@athena.mit.edu (Ira B. Ekhaus) (06/30/91)

hello,

Since you are reading this on a Video Display Terminal, the following affects
everyone.
I've heard that there are lots of possible health problems associated with 
VDT's (aside from obvious eye abuse!!). Some questions :

1) How bad is the EM radiation from a typical VDT, where are the health impact
studies?	

2) Are there any sources for comparing the EM radiation of different terminals?
(PC magazines reviews, FCC documents)

3) Do any manufacturers emphasize low EM radiation?

4) Is shielding of any use on existing terminals?

thanks,
ira
ibekhaus@athena.mit.edu

gwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn) (06/30/91)

In article <1991Jun30.043614.28577@athena.mit.edu> ibekhaus@athena.mit.edu (Ira B. Ekhaus) writes:
>Since you are reading this on a Video Display Terminal, the following affects
>everyone.
>I've heard that there are lots of possible health problems associated with 
>VDT's (aside from obvious eye abuse!!). Some questions :

Your questions seem to presuppose that EM radiation from CRTs does pose
a health hazard.  The most careful studies I've heard of showed quite
the contrary; eyestrain, neural disorders in the hands from lack of
support while typing, and posture-related problems dominate.