Don’t Let Your Computer Kill You: What You Need to Know About the Dangers!

–How computer dust and component toxins cause neurological damage and even death!

1. Toxic Dust On Your Computer Processors And Monitors

Little do most of us know, but our computers could actually be causing us to experience health problems every single day.

( Photo by totalAldo )

That’s because computer processors and monitors can often have toxic dust on them that becomes airborne as we use these components.

2. Flame Retardants Are Often The Problem

This toxic dust contains chemicals that can cause reproductive and neurological system disorders, all because of what are known as polybrominated diphenyl (PBDEs) and other flame retardants, according to a survey by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition.

( Photo by Asim Bijarani )

At this time, wearing gloves or wiping down your computer monitor won’t help protect you from exposure to these chemicals, but look for computers that minimize the use of these chemicals.

3. Levels Of These Toxins Are Building Up In The Human Population

Unfortunately, the news gets worse. PBDEs are considered persistent pollutants because they remain in the environment long after they’ve been released.

( Photo by shoothead )

They can therefore contaminate our food supplies and are building up in our bodies as well. Today, it is estimated that levels of PBDEs are doubling every two to five years, with the greatest concentrations found in human breast milk!

4. No Microwave Or Ultraviolet Radiation, But…

Most scientists would tell you that monitors (visual display units, or VDTs) by and large do not emit radiation, and that’s true when it comes to microwave and ultraviolet radiation.

( Photo by Charles Sporn )

Because there’s a thick piece of glass to protect you, this type of radiation is usually within safe limits.

5. Miscarriage, Birth Defects, And Cancer From VLF And ELF Radiation

However, scientists have recently discovered that very low frequency (VLF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation (the non-ionizing type) may be linked to things like birth defects, cancer, and higher rates of miscarriage.

( Photo by chumes )

Though more research is required, this is something to keep your eye out for. Make sure you choose components that have low radiation readings to avoid problems associated with this problem.

6. Problems For People With Epileptics

In a troubling story, it seems that hackers have recently carried out a computer-based assault against people with epilepsy. By hacking into a nonprofit Epilepsy Foundation’s message board, these individuals set up JavaScript code that produced flashing images and animations when users clicked on certain links. This created migraine headaches and seizures for some individuals.

( Photo by zomBdog )

7. Vitamin D Deficiency

Heavy computer users are often those people who spend most of their time inside, but by doing so, they may be preventing their bodies from creating beneficial vitamin D, which is necessary for stress reduction, heart health, and much more. So get outside if you spend too much time in front of your computer monitor!

( Photo by CarbonNYC )

8. Increased Stress A Problem For Avid Computer Users

Computers can also cause people to become very tight with frustrating health problems and anger. Stress can contribute to all kinds of problems, so a good stress-reduction system is important in order to avoid chronic health problems like heart disease, cancer, and hypertension.

( Photo by TMAB2003 )

It’s also a good idea to make sure you do non-computer activities in your life and to get up and walk around periodically so that you don’t become too entrenched in your seat.

9. Avoid Eye Strain And Headaches

If you’re like the 75 million Americans who spend a good number of hours in front of a computer monitor, you could also be having risk of eye strain, burning eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and more.

To avoid these problems, be sure to take breaks every 20 minutes by getting up and moving away from your computer monitor by at least 20 feet. It can also help to keep the monitor between 20 and 25 inches away from your eyes, having an anti-glare screen, and using task lighting to ensure you have proper light control.