Health and Safety Issues
Health Concerns
- Lack of exercise!
- RSI-repetitive stress (strain) injuries, such as carpal tunnel
syndrome.
- Eyestrain, far sightedness, eye muscle damage (virtual reality
headsets and kids).
- Controversial: miscarriages/birth defects; cancer.
- EMF fields can slow down melatonin production (a hormone) that
suppresses breast cancer cells.
- Recent studies suggest some drugs may not work well in EMF fields,
see J. Raloff, "Magnetic Fields can diminish Drug Action,"
Science News. 152:342 (11/29/97).
- For more information, see J. Raloff, "EMF's Biological Influences,"
Science News. 153:29-31 (1/10/98).
Magnetic Fields (milligauss, at 6 inches)
hair dryer low: 1 high: 700
vacuum cleaner low: 100 high: 700
color TV low: undetected high: 20
copy machine low: 4 high: 200
monitor low: 7 high: 20
Recommendations
- Discuss an exercise regimen with your health care practioner.
- Sit so that your upper arm and lower arm form a 90 degree angle.
- Sit so that your thigh and lower leg form a 90 degree angle.
- Look directly at, or slightly down at the keyboard
- Take breaks!
- Look away from the screen and focus on a distant object periodically.
- Keep your wrists elevated.
- Avoid glare.
- Avoid sitting directly behind or at the sides of a computer. (There
is more electromagnetic radiation from the sides and back.)
- Keyboard trays, chairs, and copy holders should all be adjustable.
- Employers should investigate state/local regulations for ergonomic
workstations and consider business insurance in case of lawsuits.
- If you work with computers a lot, inform your physician and eye care
practioner.