Computers and health
Alicia Page
In this article by Mark Sheeham on "computers and health" he states that
computer use can be hazardous to your health. The culprit is your
monitor or the CDT the television device that shows you want your
computer doing. The risks involve static-electric and low frequency
electric and magnetic fields generated by the terminalıs circuitry. The
VDT attracts ions and with that comes dust. The dust can lead to eye and
skin irritation. There are expensive ways to assure this wonıt happen,
but when you are not notified of this harm you are not looking for a
solution for it.
Now you might think that that is very dangerous., but it gets worse.
The serious problem lies in the low-frequency magnetic fields that VDTs
produce. Being exposed to these strong fields for long periods of time
can lead to miscarriages in pregnant women, and make the chances of
cancer higher.
There are ways you can stay away from these horrors brought by VDT.
If you maintain a distance of 28 inches or more between the front of the
VDT and your body (approximately arms length) youıll keep your exposure
at levels that are generally recognized as safe. Note, though, that the
magnetic fields at the sides, top, and back of the VDT is often stronger
than those at the front. To be safe, Mac World recommends that you keep
your body at least 48 inches from these. A distance of 12 inches from
the bottom of the VDT is thought to be safe.
Amini Khanna
Alicia Page <aap...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
It is very scary how dangerous computers can be especially since we use
them so frequently. People must be careful when sitting in front of the
computer for too long. It can have horrible long term effects.
Zubair Imam
Alicia Page <aap...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
I find this summary very ammusing. I personally dont think that
computers pose that much danger to our health. If it were that bad,
then we wouldnt be using computers to reply to such an article. Very
interesting sides to computers though.
Zubair Imam
Kathleen Petsch
Alicia Page <aap...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
REPLY: Very interesting article. I had no idea that there were health
risks at all when using a computer, and I definately didn't know that
they were this serious. I think that it would be a good idea if the
public were notified about these very dangerous risks (especially
pregnant women!). Because over time we may begin to see more and more
instances where these health risks become very serious.
Andrew Legg
Alicia Page <aap...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
Hey Page
You make a good point on the health issues to do with computing. Many
people dont think of health being an issue with technology and
computing. Most think of things like identity theft and viruses. Yet,
these health issues are serious. It is scary to think that that low
frequency magnetic fields that VDTs produce can lead to miscarages and a
hihger chance of cancer. Today in our society, cancer is becoming an
increasing cause of death and this makes you ask the question is
computers adding to the problem of cancer. No one must forget about
these health problems and I think that the public should be better
informed about them. Great article.
Andrew Legg