Growth,Development,Reproduction,Physiological and Behavioural Studies on Living Organisms,Human Adults and Children Exposed to Radiation from Video Displays

Abstract

Various living organisms, human workers and children were tested for any biological action resulting from exposure to radiation from video display terminals (VDTs). VDTs were powered by a 50-Hz alternating volt age of 220 V. Measured electric and magnetic fields were 13 V/M and 50 nT, respectively. Living organisms were maintained under their normal breeding conditions and control values were obtained before switching on the VDT. Various effects related to the irradiation time were demonstrated, i.e. growth delay in algae and Drosophila, a body weight deficiency in rats, abnormal peaks of mor tality in Daphnia and Drosophila, teratological effects in chick embryos and behavioural disturbances in rats. The embryonic and neonatal periods showed a high sensitiv ity to the VDT radiation. In humans, after 4 h of working in front of a VDT screen, an increase in tiredness and a decrease in the resistance of the immune system were observed in workers. In prepubertal children, 20 min of exposure were sufficient to induce neuropsychological disturbances; pre-pubertal young people appear to be particularly sensitive to the effect of the radiation. ln human testicular biopsies cultured in vitro for 24 h in front of a VDT screen, mitotic and meiotic disturbances, the appearance of degeneration in some aspects of the cells and significant disorganisation of the seminiferous tubules were demonstrated and related to modification of the metabolism of the sample. An experimental appa ratus has been developed and tested that aims to pre vent the harm from VDT radiation. Known commercially as the emf-Bioshield®, it ensures effective protection against harmful biological effects of VDT radiation.

Keywords

Radiation Video display terminal Growth Reproduction

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Blackman CF : Observations on development of mechanisms of action for electric-and-magnetic fields effects. BEMS Soc Newsletter, 1991, No. 102.

Johansson G. , Arronson G. : Stress reactions in computerized administrative work. J Occup Behav 1984;5:159-181.

Goldhaber MK , Polan MR , Hiatt RA : The risk of miscarriage and birth defects among women who use visual display terminals during pregnancy . Am J Med 1988; 13:695-706.

Lindbohm ML , Hietanen M. , Kyyrönen P. , Salimén M. , von Nandelstadh P. , Taskinen H. , Pekkarinen M. , Ylikoski M. , Hemminki K. : Magnetic fields of video display terminals and spontaneous abortion . Am J Epidemiol 1992; 136: 1041-1051.

Nakamura M. , Namiki M. , Okuyama A. , Koh E. , Kondoh N. , Takeyama M. , Fuyoka H. , Nishimune Y. , Matsumato K. , Matsumato M. : Optimal temperature for synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein by human testis in vitro. Arch Androl 1988;20:41-44.

Zorgnotti AW : Temperature and Environmental Effects on the Testis. New York, Plenum, 1991, pp 1-250.

Guichaoua MR , Devictor M. , North MO , Saias-Magnan J. , Luciani JM , Stahl A. : Meiotic techniques ; in Verma RS , Babu A (eds): Chromosome Techniques. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1996, pp 48-55.

North MO , Bourgeois CA , Dadoune JP , Arvis G. , Tritto J. : Anomalies méiotiques réversibles chez les hommes infertiles porteurs de varicocèle bilatérale après cure microchirurgicale. Ann Genet 1997;40:243-244.

Tritto J. : Computer Assisted Testicular Biopsy Multi-Level Data Base System Model in Male Infertility. Bologna, Monduzzi , 1992, pp 1-856.

10.

Le Ruz P. , Colin G. : Effect on behaviour and growth of the white rat after exposure to VDT radiation . Proceedings of the 13th Ann Meet BEMS Soc, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1991 , p 34.

11.

Sisken B. , Guarnieri G. : Effects of VDT monitors on chick embryo development. Proceedings of the 13th Ann Meet BEMS Soc, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1991, p 77.

12.

Bondarovskaia VM : Complex investigation of the health status of VDT users in regions under exposure to Chernobyl disaster sequelae: Psychological, physiological, ergonomic measurements ; efficiency of using protection means . Trans First Congr EBEA, Brussels , January 1992, annex 1.

13.

Petrovskaia IA : Immune state in computer users and influence of A-Nox®-computer protective system. Trans First Congr EBEA, Brussels, January 1992, annex 1.

14.

Litovitz TA , Montrose CJ , Doinov P. , Brown KM , Barber M. : Superimposing spatially coherent electromagnetic noise inhibits field-induced abnormalities in developing chick embryos. Bioelectromagnetics 1994;15:105-113.

15.

Litovitz TA, Penafiel M, Farrel JM, Krause D, Meister R, Mullins JM: Bioeffects induced by

16.

exposure to microwaves are mitigated by superposition of ELF noise. Bioelectromagnetics 1997; 18:422-430.

17.

Youbicier-Simo BJ , Boudard F. , Cabaner C. , Bastide M. : Biological effects of continuous exposure of embryos and young chickens to electromagnetic fields emitted by video display units. Bioelectromagnetics 1997;18:514-523.

18.

Bonhomme-Faivre L. , Santini R. , Marion S. , Bottlus L. , Pham S. , Orbach-Arbouys S. , Auclair H. : Cortisol variations observed in mice placed in front of a color TV screen: A feed-back control ? Proceedings of the 20th Ann Meet BEMS Soc, Florida, 1998, p 57.

19.

Loiret P. , Enad C. , Morel Y. : Enquete travail sur écran: conclusions neuro-psychologiques, TEC-2 ; in Ministère du Travail et de l'Emploi (ed): Publ. de la DRTE, Poitou Charentes. Ministère du Travail et de l'Emploi , 1994, pp 1-84.

20.

Jacquelin LF , Nahmani L. , Casteyde JP : Neurophysiology and biochemistry of muscular contraction ; in: Kinesiology, T. 1. Paris, Come-dent, 1995, pp 192-220.

21.

Blackman CF , Benane SG , Kinney LS , Joines WT , House DE : Effects of ELF fields on calcium-efflux from brain tissue in vitro. Radiat Res 1982;92:510-520.

22.

Rufo P. : La télé et l'enfant: un rapport terrible. Publ Int Hopital Ste Marguerite, Marseille, 1990.

23.

Masnou P. , Nahum-Moscovoci L. : Epilepsy and videogames: Historical aspects and discussion of the underlying mechanisms. Rev Neurol (Paris ) 1999;155:292-295.