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Whole Body / GeneralPart of the Glaser Archive

SAFETY GUIDE FOR VIDEO-DISPLAY TERMINALS

No Effects Found

P. Hansen · 1982

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A 1982 Canadian government safety guide reported no x-rays detected from over 300 video display terminals and RF radiation too low at the operator position to be hazardous.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1982 Health and Welfare Canada safety guide reported measurements on video display terminals (VDTs), the computer monitors used in workplaces at the time. Precise x-ray measurements on more than 300 VDTs comprising 150 models detected no x-rays, including 60 models tested with highly sensitive equipment. The only radiation detected was low energy radiofrequency radiation close to the case of the terminal, which was undetectable or well below the most stringent standards anywhere in the world at the operator position.

Why This Matters

This guide was issued by Health and Welfare Canada (first edition, August 1982) in response to concerns that VDTs could produce radiation that might affect human reproductivity and the foetus of a pregnant woman. The Radiation Protection Bureau had conducted measurements since 1971, including under failure mode conditions. The guide also covers work factors that can lead to visual and general fatigue, such as poor background lighting, constant refocusing of the eyes, inappropriate posture, workload and personal factors.

Finding

It can be stated unequivocally that Video Display Terminals do not emit levels of any electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that could possibly be hazardous to any person, male or female, young or old, pregnant or not, and therefore do not present an occupational radiation hazard.

In their words

“It can be stated unequivocally that Video Display Terminals do not emit levels of any electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that could possibly be hazardous to any person, male or female, young or old, pregnant or not, and therefore do not present an occupational radiation hazard.”

Study Details

To determine if Video Display Terminals emit hazardous levels of electromagnetic radiation and to provide safety guidelines for their use in the workplace.

Precise x-ray measurements were conducted on more than 300 VDTs comprising 150 models. Some measurem...

No x-rays were detected in any of the measurements conducted on over 300 VDTs. Even with highly sens...

Video Display Terminals do not emit levels of any electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that could possibly be hazardous to any person, male or female, young or old, pregnant or not, and therefore do not present an occupational radiation hazard.

Cite This Study
P. Hansen (1982). SAFETY GUIDE FOR VIDEO-DISPLAY TERMINALS.
Show BibTeX
@article{safety_guide_for_video_display_terminals_g6003,
  author = {P. Hansen},
  title = {SAFETY GUIDE FOR VIDEO-DISPLAY TERMINALS},
  year = {1982},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

No x-rays were detected in any of the measurements conducted on more than 300 VDTs comprising 150 models, under normal operating conditions and under failure mode conditions.
The only radiation detected was low energy radiofrequency (RF) radiation close to the case of the terminal. Its intensity fell off so rapidly with distance that at the operator position it was either undetectable or well below the most stringent standards anywhere in the world.
VDTs were becoming more common in the work environment, and concerns had been expressed that they could produce radiation that might affect human reproductivity and the foetus of a pregnant woman. The guide was prepared for managers, supervisors and occupational health and safety committees.
No x-rays were detected, even in 60 different models tested in the Bureau's low level counting facility with highly sensitive equipment. The only radiation detected was low energy radiofrequency radiation close to the case of the terminal.
The guide states that Video Display Terminals do not emit levels of any electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that could possibly be hazardous to any person, male or female, young or old, pregnant or not, and therefore do not present an occupational radiation hazard.