Health Watch: Health Hazards of Computer Monitors and How to Avoid Them

Perhaps one can safely say that there is no computer-using person around the world today who did not think about the possible health hazards of radiation from computer screens. Out of fear of becoming deprived of the computer and the internet, the great multitude in the world is just probably ignoring its dreaded thoughts.

Running computer monitors emit electromagnetic radiation that is a combination of electric field and magnetic field. They carry energy which can be harmful to our health. However, whether an electromagnetic radiation is harmful or not, is entirely dependent on the frequency of the radiation. The higher the frequency, the greater is the energy, thus becoming more able at destroying human tissues that may led to serious health problems.

Quiet fortunately, the electromagnetic radiation generated by the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or Video Display Terminal (VDT) popularly known as computer monitors emit in the Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) and Very Low Frequency (VLF) ranges, which means they pose no serious health threats. Current research however, has potentially identified some possible illnesses associated with long exposure to low frequency radiation. Neuropsychological disorders, eye troubles and other neurological illnesses are among the possible ill-effects of these computer screen radiations. And because of the no-risks reports that we know, we may take these threats for granted and unmindful most of the times that prevention is always better than cure. For our safety, the following guidelines provided by experts and researchers should be given proper attention.

• Anti-glare guard may not ensure complete electric and magnetic field attenuation, but having it installed on our monitors is evidently advantageous.
• Let’s separate ourselves at least three (3) feet away from the monitor since magnetic and electric fields are functions of distance. Radiation diminishes with distance.
• Let’s ensure that our monitor is given well-adjusted angular position in such a way that the glare is minimized.
• Light can greatly enhance the glare, so as much as possible our lightings should be made just sufficient for the given task.
• Monitors already unplugged even for a couple of hours still emit electromagnetic radiation, so let us avoid facing them further.
• A 30 -minute break for the eyes and stretching for even 10 seconds are a lot beneficial.

Notwithstanding with the current information of ourselves being free from adverse health effects of long exposures to running computer monitors, its imperative still that we should consider the tips above in keeping with the principle of precaution. “The absence of certainty must not delay action,” or otherwise, we may suffer many irreversible health consequences later.