Electromagnetic Fields and General Health: A Case of LCDs vs. Office Employees

Exposure to the electric and magnetic fields resulting from liquid crystaldisplays may cause adverse effects on users. This study aimed to assess the electromagnetic field intensities of liquid crystal displays and their impacts on the users’ general health. Electric and magnetic field intensities were measured at 30, 50, and 60 cm around the screens using anHI-3603 device. Also, to investigate the probable relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields and the users’ general health, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used. The questionnaires were completed by 69 employees, both in the study and control groups. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software. The magnetic field intensities were less than commonly accepted standards such as The Swedish confederation of professional employers (TCO) for both laptop and desktop displays. Also, the electric field intensities in laptop displays were all within the allowable range in this study. However, values in the desktop displays were higher than 1 v/m (based on TCO standard) in 15%, 4% and 2% of the cases involving the distances of 30, 50, and 60 cm in one or more directions, respectively. There is a significant relationship between the general health of the people exposed to electromagnetic radiation and that of the control group (P = 0.0001). The study results are indicative of the impact of electromagnetic fields on computer users’ health, and it is thus advisable to avoid leaving computers switched on unnecessarily in addition to observing the minimum distance of 60 cm from computer monitors to control the adverse effects of electromagnetic fields.