Monitor Health Risk

I bought a new 17" monitor (not flat screen) in January 2003.
I have been getting my face turning all red when I am in
the room where the monitor is. I am not sure what is causing
the problem. Is it possible for a new monitor to be
giving off radiation to cause my face to turn red. If I
stay away from the room for a few days my face returns to
normal. I have never heard of this happening before.
Does anyone have any info on this.

Thanks, Jerry

 

A few things i found on google.
I wouldn't use that monitor again. Personally i'd call my doctor and not return that monitor until everything has been checked out. I't may be defective, and partially dangerous.

scroll down about half way
http://www.grn.es/electropolucio/omega107.htm

http://www.rosacea.org/

http://www.rfsafe.com/Computer_EMF_Products.htm
http://www.rfsafe.com/Computer_Monitors_EMF.htm

http://www.indiana.edu/~ucspubs/f026/#VDT health risks: What to do while the jury's out
Mark Sheehan
Reprinted from the University Computing Times, July-August 1990, pages 16-17, and updated in August 1991 to reflect recent research results.

Computer use can be hazardous to your health. So says an article by Paul Brodeur in the July 1990 MacWorld. The culprit is your computer monitor, or VDT - the television-like device that shows you what your computer is doing. The principal risks of using VDTs come from the static-electric and low-frequency electric and magnetic fields generated by the terminal's circuitry. The liquid crystal displays (LCDs) of most portable computers, and the less common light-emitting diode (LED) and plasma displays of portables do not present the dangers discussed here.

The electrostatic fields VDTs produce can cause discomfort by bombarding the computer user with ions that attract dust particles. The dust can lead to eye and skin irritation. Fortunately, a special type of glare screen, one that traps and disposes of electrostatic and low-frequency electrical radiation, is available from many manufacturers. These grounded glare screens cost from $50 to $250 and eliminate electrostatic and electric field exposure entirely.


recycling

Rookie
- -

 

TO ROOKIE

Thank you for your great reply. I find it all
very interesting and believe the monitor is the
cause of my problem. Do you have any advice on
how to get my monitor checked out and who to
see. I you find any more about monitor health
risks I would appreciate that too.

Thank you very much, Jerry

 

Sorry, can't help you out. But, wanted to post what I have come to learn.
Awhile ago I bought a new monitor. And noticed for the first 2 weeks I would get all stuffy (my nose) and just plain not feel good. I had read some where, maybe consumer reports, that with new monitors they will give off poisous fumes for the first little while using them. So, now when I get a new monitor, just got a 19 ", I leave it on allday and night in a well ventilated room for a week or so, so that burns off the fumes from all the plastics and such. You may be having a reaction to the fumes but you would know better than I.

Hope it clears up, sorry not much help.

Heath

 

Actually, that is an intriguing possibility. jerryhillman mentioned that the probem occurred when in the same room as the monitor. Any radiation emanating from the monitor would fall off with the square of the distance from the monitor and be almost non-existent just a few feet away.

But plasticizers used in plastics, like the phthalates, have shown some toxic reactions in the past and would be evenly distributed throughout the room.

You may have something there.