V.D.U. screens no danger, say scientists

Press, 16 December 1985, Page 11

V.D.U. screens no danger, say scientists

NZPA-Reuter Geneva Radiation from office computer screens does not endanger the health of pregnant mothers, a group of 15 scientists said at a conference arranged by the World Health Organisation. The group of doctors, psychiatrists and radiologists meeting to discuss possible health hazards of so-called visual display units (V.D.U.S) also said, however, that their conclusions could not be interpreted to mean V.D.U. work was “absolutely safe”. W.H.O. officials at the talks said 12 groups of health cases had been reported among the millions of mainly female VDU users. These cases included premature births, miscarriages, and defects in the child. “Recent studies have been examined and the group conclude that these studies provide no evidence of a linkage between adverse pregnancy outcome and V.D.U. use,” the scientists

told a news conference towards the end of their week-long discussions. They said there was no evidence that screens damaged eyes of operators or caused skin rashes, but warned that eye muscle injury through strain was possible and urged further research. An American psychologist, Stephen Sauter, chairing the meeting, said the group’s conclusions were based more on rigorous scientific studies than the case reports. Dr Tom Stewart, of Britain suggested that expectant mothers working with screens should also take other aspects into account. Once the women were given the right desk, light or noise level as demanded by office experts, he saw no reason why they should be moved away from screens. A physicist, Ulf Bergqvist said there was still mystery over what might cause skin rashes. “We just don’t know,” he said.