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Posted By jon r musselwhite
Hi guys, does anyone know anything about whether there are any issues with regard to pregnant ladies using VDU screens. I seem to remember form back in my certificate days that pregnant ladies are advised to drop the height of their chairs to avoid exposing their stomachs to the UV rays from the screen. Is there any substance to this, and where can i get some more info? Any help would be appreciated as i have been informed this morning that we now have 2 pregnant ladies on our staff.
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Posted By James365
The HSE's VDU guidance refers the reader to "current scientific information" in relation to the VDU radiation risk to expectant mothers, which is a bit of a cop-out....
The NRPB (now the HPA) have a publication available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/ra...pb/abstracts/absd5-2.htm (for £10) which reports on "Health Effects Related to the Use of Visual Display Units: Report of an Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation" and "Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer: Supplementary Report by the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation". A number of points noted therein seem to point to there being no definite significant risk (read the conclusions online at the link), but they do seem to have hedged their bets a little. Suggest you liaise with the HPA directly for a more definitive summary of current research findings in this regard.
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Posted By Steven
Have e-mailed you direct
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Jon
You may be half-remembering a study carried out some years ago which appeared to link an increased risk of miscarriage with radiation emitted from VDU screens; the study was done on call centre employees, I think. However, further work established that the increased risk was due to the stressful working environment. Rather than worrying about radiation, you should consider the effects of stress on your employees as the pregnancies proceed.
Paul
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Posted By warderic
HSE guidance says there is no risk. However, if a lady is concerned then it is advisable to move them to another task.
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Posted By Jay Joshi
The modern Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screens do not have a cathode ray tube, hence do not have the type of radiation issues associated with the convetional CRT screens.
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Posted By Cathy Ricketts
Concentrate on the higher risks - such as the hormonal changes during pregnancy which soften the area around the pelvis which can lead to back pain. We have either magic water or special chairs in our area and with a predominately female staff pregnancy is high on the agenda. Posture and correct seating is of key importance during pregnancy. The risk from radiation is so minimal it no longer is even considered as part of the risk assessment process as it doesnt present any significant risk to the pregnant employee. Suggest you look at A Guide for Employers by HSE which clearly states no special protective measures are needed to protect the health of people from screen radiation - There are no current evidenced links between miscarriage and VDU use and therefore no foreseeable risk
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