Video display terminals: radiation issues.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Murray, William E. Jr.
• Description:
  Radiation effects associated with the use of video display terminals (VDT) are discussed. The types of radiation produced by the terminals are: X-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, extremely low frequency (ELF), electrostatic fields and ultrasound, as well as electromagnetic radiation. Health concerns of VDT users include development of cataracts, reproductive problems, and skin rashes. Current surveys conducted by NIOSH suggest that levels of all types of radiation measured are below the standards established by OSHA or set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Some problems in field measurements of radiofrequency radiation exist. No standard exists for the electric and magnetic components in ELF radiation. However, the ELF radiation level is below that of known biological hazards and near that present in common household appliances. Electrostatic fields are highly variable around the terminals but decrease as distance from the face of the cathode ray tube increases. Other concerns regarding effects of malfunctioning equipment, age of terminals, and working in the vicinity of more than one terminal are discussed. According to present information, none of these situations cause an increased health risk. The author concludes that radiation levels emitted by VDTs have no long term biological effects. No special protection is necessary. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biochemistry Occupational Health Radiation Radiation Injuries Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Qualitative-analysis; Workers; Radiation-injury; Radiation-properties; Biochemical-analysis; Workplace-studies; Radiation-levels; Cell-damage; Cytology;
• ISSN:
  0737-8831
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  43-47
• Volume:
  3
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00161660
• Citation:
  Lib Hi Tech 1985 Oct-Dec; 3(4):43-47
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1986
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Library Hi Tech
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7dc847c09aedf140bc731323e8446b4703641ae07d6ad9e7b7238120dab30b8f7dcaa9b938d34d035f87873a0fe7fec262d5d13dcaf290925445e82b6de3b57d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/247571/cdc_247571_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 168.02 KB ]