Are Computers a Health Hazard?

The first thing to know is that the risks are not likely to affect you unless you are a "habitual" computer user. In other words, you're sitting at the computer pretty much all day, every day. Oh yeah... that's all of us! That's not to say that the occasional computer user won't have problems. Everyone's level of sensitivity is unique.

The buzz started in the 80's and culminated in the 1992 Health and Safety DSE (Display Screen Equipment) regulations. Then came Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome followed by ergonomics. The hype has subsided, since we all know the computer isn't going to kill us - but we have learned a lot over the past 20 years about potential health risks and more importantly, we've learned ways to avoid being at risk when we're using computers. Let's look at some of the most common medical problems and what you can do to avoid them.

Eye Strain:

Position your terminal at right angles to the window if possible; avoid facing directly into bright light (coming at you from behind your computer screen).
Install an anti-glare screen.
Adjust the brightness controls on the screen until they are comfortable to your eyes.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Adjust your chair or table height to have your elbow angle at 90-100 degrees.
Position your keyboard so that you don't have to bend your hands uncomfortably upward to reach the keys; place a raised wrist rest on the table in front of the keyboard if necessary.
Clinch your fists, hold for one second, then stretch your fingers out wide and hold for 5 seconds.
Organize your workday, if possible, to intersperse other tasks with your computer work so that you're not sitting at the computer for several hours without a break. Variety is key.
Hold the mouse loosely and click lightly.

Neck and Back Strain:

Check your posture - sit up straight. Thanks Mom.
The monitor screen surface should be approximately 18-24 inches away from your torso.
Preferably chairs should be on wheels, have backrest tilt adjustment, and have arms.
Be sure you have enough desktop space for work papers and other equipment.

Conjunctivitis (itchy, bloodshot eyes) and Dermatitis:

Be sure the screen doesn't flicker or wave - this could indicate that service or adjustment is needed.
Look away from the screen periodically.
Don't forget to blink - your eyes need the moisture.

The next wave of health concerns focuses on electromagnetic fields and the cathode ray tube in the computer screen showering us with negatively charged electrons. But don't let that keep you up at night. It's best to follow the preventive steps listed above, which by the way are things YOU can do without spending a penny.

This summary was gathered from a variety of sources and is provided as a primer to inspire you to research further on your own. If you'd like to explore the subject further, try these resources:

Healthy Computing
Working with Computers: Health and Safety Issues
Neurosurgical Medical Clinic
Computer Ergonomic
Computers and Health

This article originally appeared in the September, 2002 issue of FrogTalk.