Are video terminals dangerous?

Article Abstract:

A major study will assess the reproductive risk to female workers who are constantly exposed to video display terminals (computer screens). The project is now underway at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, and will take four years to complete. Eight thousand female office workers from four cities nationwide will be asked by questionnaire about their work habits, lifestyle and health. A smaller group of 800 women will be followed closely for one year to track their hormone levels and menstrual cycles. Urine samples will be checked for human chorionic gonadotropin, which is a sign of early pregnancy. Those women who become pregnant will then be monitored during the first few months of gestation. A previous study concluded that the miscarriage rate was double the normal rate for women who use video display terminals (VDTs) over 20 hours per week. This project, conducted by Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in California, was criticized for allowing biases to affect the results. The Mount Sinai study is comprehensive and will include a large number of subjects; it is expected to answer important questions about the safety of extensive VDT exposure for women of childbearing age. Currently, the risks of VDT use are considered controversial. Mount Sinai received two million dollars in federal funds from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Research, Women, Causes of, Women's health, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Miscarriage, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

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Cancer risks seen in electro-magnetic fields: powerlines implicated; biological mechanism unknown

Article Abstract:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after a two-year study of the existing evidence, has concluded that exposure to extremely low-frequency (ELF) electro-magnetic radiation is a significant risk factor for developing cancer. These ELF electro-magnetic fields are emitted by video display terminals (VDTs), common household appliances, and ordinary power lines that can be found everywhere. The agency's report, entitled 'An evaluation of the potential carcinogenicity of electromagnetic fields', states that the mechanism for this relationship is unknown, but animal studies and epidemiological data suggest the causal relationship. Most of this epidemiological data comes from eight studies on childhood cancer, and over 30 reports on cancer among electrical workers. In the preliminary report it was suggested that these electromagnetic fields be classified as ''possible human carcinogens'', but this recommendation was later withdrawn until further review of the findings. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Electromagnetic fields, Demographic aspects, United States. Environmental Protection Agency, Cancer

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Electromagnetic risk: all aboard the bandwagon

Article Abstract:

Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency released a report which indicated a link between low-frequency electromagnetic radiation and cancer. While it is too early to assess the ill effects of electromagnetic radiation from exposure to such common sources such as fluorescent lights, the US Congress is considering establishing a 34 million dollar fund to conduct research in this area. The interest of Congress has actually come as a surprise to some; the US Department of Energy had informed Congress that its research program was satisfactory. The bill is getting firm support from leaders of the electric power industry who are concerned that one day legislation regarding electromagnetic fields might be passed without solid scientific data. In the words of James Cunningham, vice-president of the New York Power Authority, 'What is needed now is not regulation, but research.' (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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