skyler@ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Patricia Roberts) (09/12/88)
Here are some interesting quotes on the issue from the July 10, 1988 NY _Times_: "The most significant part of the study, one that didn't get reported, was the table showing that administrative and clerical workers who spent more than 20 hours a week on the VDT had a much higher miscarriage rate than managerial and professional women who spent the same amount of time at a computer." [Quote from Jeanne Stellman, executive director of the Womens' Occupational Health Resource Center.] Occupational health experts strongly advise women against wearing lead aprons to to try to protect themselves from VDT the possible effects of VDT's. [incoherence in original article] Not only is the weight of the apron more dangerous than VDT, they say, but lead acts as a shield against the ionizing radiation found in X-rays, not the less dangerous, and less studied, non-ionizing radiation that is a concern with VDT's. Legislation has been introduced in at least 24 states that would regulate working conditions for those who use VDT's, often providing for routine eye examinations, regular breaks from the computer work, detachable keyboards and adjustable chairs. Some of the proposed laws also require that pregnant women be allowed to transfer from VDT work. In the last few years, several labor unions, including the Communication Workers of America and the Service Employees International Union, have negotiated contracts giving pregnant VDT workers the option to transfer to noncomputer jobs with no loss of pay or benefits. "We got pregnancy clauses in 13 of the 22 contracts we negotiated last year," said Denise Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the service union. "It's getting to be quite common." Also from the New York _Times_: Most likely, she [Marilyn Goldhaber--the chief author of the study] said, the miscarriages would be related to discomfort in the seating or work arrangements at the terminal, or to stress related to the monotony or pressure of VDT work or to something else in the work place.