Monitor radiation causes some headaches

Monitor vendors and industry watchers have slammed a report that claims low-level radiation emissions from VDU screens are responsible for many office-related illnesses.

The research by Professor Derek Clements-Croome of Reading University and environmental consultant John Jukes, said electro-magnetic radiation from VDUs is responsible for up to a third of headaches, anxiety and flu-like symptoms experienced daily by office workers. It calls for an investigation to be carried out by the Health and Safety Executive.

But conclusions drawn from the results of the research were dismissed as sensationalism throughout the industry.

Mike Evans, business development manager at CTX, said: "We are aware of monitor emissions and invest heavily in standards that reduce such emissions. But the majority of the health problems come from the use of the product rather than the product itself."

Keith Simpson, distribution sales manager at Hitachi, added: "Emissions from monitors are so small now that using a mobile telephone or maybe even a car will produce more radiation."

The study was carried out in Southampton, where 50 workers had devices designed to counteract the effects of low-level radiation, fitted to their computers. Another 50 were fitted with dummy devices. The report claimed that those with fitted with the real device showed a 27 per cent drop in the symptoms of illness.

One observer said: "The study is jumping on concerns that have gone away. The past five surveys that have been undertaken have failed to give us any reason to be concerned. There is nothing to prove that it is monitors that are causing these symptoms."