Do TVs & Monitors Emit Harmful Radiation?

[Maxwell]

Do TV's and Monitors emit radiation that is harmful to humans?

I'm in front of a computer screen for around 15 hours a day... for school, work, and entertainment purposes.

At night, I always have my TV on and I need to fall asleep with it on. I usually set the sleep timer for 30 minutes after I fall asleep.

So do these devices emit radiation that is harmful for humans?

Thanks.

 

[inha]

The dangers are rather insignificant. Anything a tv or a monitor can throw at you is child's play compared to the background radiation Earth is cooking you up with.

 

[DaveC426913]

The jury is still out on this.

One thing that is a risk though is eyestrain.

 

[fargoth]

i found some material regarding your question:

Does sitting too close to the TV really damage your eyes?
Gary
Middletown, New Jersey
Dear Gary:
A search on "too close TV" turned up a column from The Straight Dope. Looks like Cecil beat us to the punch on this one. What does he have to say on the matter? Despite the repeated warnings of your mother, sitting too close to the TV will not damage your eyes.

In his insightful column, Cecil points out, "Prior to 1968 or so some sets emitted excessive X-rays, but that problem has now been eliminated." So no damaging rays are actually given off from the set that can hurt you. However, sitting too close to the TV could strain your eyes. Some eye doctors recommend that you sit no closer than five feet from the TV screen, but this precaution is merely to prevent eye fatigue. There are some people who believe that eyestrain can lead to myopia, or nearsightedness, and a few animal studies seem to support this theory, but there is little conclusive evidence.

Several other sources confirmed that sitting smack dab in front of the TV does not damage your eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, kids, the usual culprits, can focus up close better than adults, so they often develop the habit of sitting right in front of the television. However, sitting too close to the TV may indicate that your child needs glasses.

While TV may not ruin your eyes, the jury is still out as to its effects on your brain.

and also

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Technology/story?id=1409940][/PLAIN]
Kids who spend a lot of time on the computer may be at risk of developing eye strain and even "computer vision syndrome," although the seriousness of the second condition is under debate.

Some well-known signs of eye strain include headaches, constant rubbing of the eyes, dry eyes and fuzzy vision. These symptoms usually go away once a child or adult takes a break from the computer.

But optometrist Cary Herzberg said people often struggle to focus on computer monitors, and this may lead to more serious problems.

"When you look at a lighted screen, the eye doesn't focus on the screen, it focuses behind it, so the eye has to adjust all the time to see well," Herzberg said.

Herzberg said this could possibly lead to permanent damage in children in the form of premature nearsightedness, also know as myopia.

"I'm seeing it in younger ages, and I'm seeing much higher prescriptions at younger ages," he said. "It's an interesting phenomenon."

Herzberg participated in a study several years ago that suggested one in four children may suffer from eye strain serious enough that an eye exam would be recommended.

However, the research was sponsored by a company that makes an FDA-approved device designed to test eyes for computer strain.

If strain is detected, Herzberg said specialized glasses can then be prescribed to reduce eye fatigue. The glasses cost about the same as most prescription eyeglasses.

Pediatric ophthalmologist Benjamin Ticho is skeptical. He said he sees no need for special glasses, but he does advise medical students training under him at University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago to be mindful of computer strain.

"There isn't good research that says it causes permanent damage, but even temporary symptoms are worth noting," said Ticho.

For parents and others concerned about eye strain, experts recommend the following:

Make sure the computer workspace fits smaller bodies.

The screen should be tilted slightly downward at a 15-degree angle.

The distance between the monitor and the child should be about two feet.

Limit computer and game use to 20 minutes at a time.

Make sure children receive annual eye exams beginning before kindergarten and thereafter.

WLS-TV in Chicago prepared this report.