Laptop Radiation

[dancing-loon]

Does anyone else have a laptop and is concerned, like myself, about the emissions from it? I spend a lot of hours, especially during the winter months, on the computer. I have it sitting on an inch-thick pine board across the armrests of my comfy-chair. But still, I worry about the effects on my health, especially radiation directed towards my chest.

Someone researched it a bit and put his findings up on the following site:

Is the electromagnetic radiation from a laptop computer dangerous? | Factoidz

I would appreciate, if you would post any knowledge or experiences you have with regards to the health risks.

 

[hermanntrude]

there are NO known health risks.

it seems unlikely that there could be, since the radiation used is radiation which only weakly affects matter in any way. it's low energy radiation with loooong wavelengths compared to light.

However if enough people get freaked out by it, someone will try and make some money by publishing a non-scientific scientific paper raising a few fears to the level of hysteria and then selling a bunch of protective devices or "low emmission laptops" or something.

and of course if there is a mass hysteria about it, there'll be no chance of seeing any REAL science finding the REAL risks (if it turns out there are any, which i guess isn't totally impossible) amongst the fear-mongering dross.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

I wouldn't worry about it, but I don't use a laptop on my lap either. Not out of concerns about irradiating my lap, but just because it's an uncomfortable position, I get cramps in my hands and forearms after a few minutes of typing. What I've read suggests the greatest risk is the heat it generates, which is really of concern mostly to men. Heat impairs sperm production, and if you wear Jockey-style underwear you're already keeping things too warm. The 150 milligauss (I presume that's what the mG abbreviation in that link means) magnetic field it generates looks like a red herring to me. The earth's field is about 500 milligauss on average, and we're all immersed in that all the time without obvious ill effects.

 

[L Gilbert]

lmao Between Stretch's CFBs and DL's laptops, no wonder we all have permanent headaches, are turning green, and are growing 3rd noses and whatnot.

 

[dancing-loon]

Thanks folks, for your replies, especially Dexters. I feel a little less jittery now. :smile:

 

[russ743]

personal thoughts...

I read this factoidz post as well, and one thing stands out to me about these forum responses: The earth's constant output of 500 milliGauss is spread over the course of the entire planet, and each square inch isn't putting out that much. That amount is cumulative. With a laptop, it's direct contact, all concentrated from one place, directed into one place on the body, and it's completely factual that distance from the source plays a major role in the strength of the field. (Look up Gaussian flux for more information.)

Now, I have no information as to whether or not EMF is bad for you. I have read studies that have shown EMF of 1-2 mG vibrates cells and deteriorates them, and in some cases can mutate them, but these studies make no direct claim to cancer as an output. The theory behind it checks out, but no one really knows. The study I read about safe limits was from an independent laboratory in England, viewable at http://www.es-uk.info/docs/20090101_bevington_cancer_biological.pdf (You'll need the conversion of 1 microtesla = 10 milliGauss).

Anyway, I bought a HARApad as the author of the factoidz article described, and use it primarily when I'm using WiFi at coffeeshops and whatnot. I use it mostly when I have only my lap as a surface and I plan to be using it for an extended amount of time. I don't feel any different, but I like the peace of mind, personally.

Thought I'd just share my two cents.

 

[Markk]

Hey, good thread guys!

However, I wouldnt be so quick to shrug off the idea of harmful radiation from a laptop.

Dexter, you make a good point about the strength of Earth's magnetic field, but remember, that is a static (constant) field. The north pole is always the north pole, and the south pole is always the south pole. The alternatinc current in a laptop produces an alternating (dynamic) field that may be more harmful. It's similar to how AC voltage will shock you painfully, yet you wont even notice DC voltage. Our bodies respond to the dynamic field and current more adversely than the static.

 

[petros]

A tinfoil hat for the family jewels eh?

 

[dancing-loon]

I read this factoidz post as well, and one thing stands out to me about these forum responses: The earth's constant output of 500 milliGauss is spread over the course of the entire planet, and each square inch isn't putting out that much. That amount is cumulative. With a laptop, it's direct contact, all concentrated from one place, directed into one place on the body, and it's completely factual that distance from the source plays a major role in the strength of the field. (Look up Gaussian flux for more information.)

Now, I have no information as to whether or not EMF is bad for you. I have read studies that have shown EMF of 1-2 mG vibrates cells and deteriorates them, and in some cases can mutate them, but these studies make no direct claim to cancer as an output. The theory behind it checks out, but no one really knows. The study I read about safe limits was from an independent laboratory in England, viewable at http://www.es-uk.info/docs/20090101_bevington_cancer_biological.pdf (You'll need the conversion of 1 microtesla = 10 milliGauss).

Anyway, I bought a HARApad as the author of the factoidz article described, and use it primarily when I'm using WiFi at coffeeshops and whatnot. I use it mostly when I have only my lap as a surface and I plan to be using it for an extended amount of time. I don't feel any different, but I like the peace of mind, personally.

Thought I'd just share my two cents.

Thank you, Russ, for your two cents!!;-)
I'm still concerned and appreciate any serious and helpful hints and links.
Am curious what a WiFi is?

 

[russ743]

Loon--

WiFi is the wireless internet connection put out by wireless routers. Anywhere you can connect your laptop to wireless internet, you're somewhere near a WiFi connection. It is much like cell phone communication, radio waves, or television signals sent from an antenna to a receiver of any type. The electromagnetic radiation is different. What we're talking about comes simply from electric current traveling through anything....wires, electronic devices, etc. The more power an electronic device requires, the higher the electric current flowing to it. The higher the electric current, the larger the naturally occurring electromagnetic field. This field is analagous to heat around a fire, where the fire is the electrical source, and the electromagnetic field (EMF) is the heat. As the fire burns, the area surrounding the flame is filled with heat, like an invisible sphere. As you continue to move away from the fire, the heat decreases. Likewise, EMF surrounds its source and fades away with distance. However, with laptops increasing their power output and this field growing with it, a larger distance from the source is important. When a laptop is right on the lap, this distance is zero, which means you're putting yourself right against the source of the field.

So what's the danger? No one really knows. The experimentation that has been performed already can be explained like this: The electricity we use from wall sockets is alternating current. This alternating current in turn creates an alternating EMF in the form of waves. These waves vibrate cells in the human body. This constant vibration can lead to cell deterioration, and in some cases, mutation. Cancer starts from cell mutation, though the direct correlation between EMF originated mutation and cancer mutation has not been firmly established.

As for protection, I have found two products on the market that do very different things. There is the HARApad that I mentioned before, which blocks the EMF discussed here. There is another product by Winston Technologies that blocks zero EMF, but will cut off radio frequencies like cell phone communications and wireless internet signals. I didn't see the point of cutting off my wireless capabilities when I'm usually only using my computer for the wireless, so I went with the HARApad. It's all about where your concern lies. I figure radio waves have been circling us for a very long time now, and electronics are putting more power in smaller, more concentrated packages every day. The latter concerns me more.

I guess that's putting in more like my 4 or 5 cents. Hope that helps (and doesn't overwhelm!)

 

[dancing-loon]

Loon--

WiFi is the wireless internet connection put out by wireless routers. Anywhere you can connect your laptop to wireless internet, you're somewhere near a WiFi connection. It is much like cell phone communication, radio waves, or television signals sent from an antenna to a receiver of any type. The electromagnetic radiation is different. What we're talking about comes simply from electric current traveling through anything....wires, electronic devices, etc. The more power an electronic device requires, the higher the electric current flowing to it. The higher the electric current, the larger the naturally occurring electromagnetic field. This field is analagous to heat around a fire, where the fire is the electrical source, and the electromagnetic field (EMF) is the heat. As the fire burns, the area surrounding the flame is filled with heat, like an invisible sphere. As you continue to move away from the fire, the heat decreases. Likewise, EMF surrounds its source and fades away with distance. However, with laptops increasing their power output and this field growing with it, a larger distance from the source is important. When a laptop is right on the lap, this distance is zero, which means you're putting yourself right against the source of the field.

So what's the danger? No one really knows. The experimentation that has been performed already can be explained like this: The electricity we use from wall sockets is alternating current. This alternating current in turn creates an alternating EMF in the form of waves. These waves vibrate cells in the human body. This constant vibration can lead to cell deterioration, and in some cases, mutation. Cancer starts from cell mutation, though the direct correlation between EMF originated mutation and cancer mutation has not been firmly established.

As for protection, I have found two products on the market that do very different things. There is the HARApad that I mentioned before, which blocks the EMF discussed here. There is another product by Winston Technologies that blocks zero EMF, but will cut off radio frequencies like cell phone communications and wireless internet signals. I didn't see the point of cutting off my wireless capabilities when I'm usually only using my computer for the wireless, so I went with the HARApad. It's all about where your concern lies. I figure radio waves have been circling us for a very long time now, and electronics are putting more power in smaller, more concentrated packages every day. The latter concerns me more.

I guess that's putting in more like my 4 or 5 cents. Hope that helps (and doesn't overwhelm!)

Thanks for the explanation... I have wireless!;-)
Yes, the distance is worrisome, not so much my lap, as I have an inch-thick board across the armrests of the chair I'm sitting in, but my chest. I have it right in front of me with only a few inches inbetween. And something unusual is going on!!
I should have the HARApad in front of me for protection. Or a flexible shield, like they hang around us when taking x-rays.
Seriously, I have to do something! Quitting the internet is one, better yet.. get rid of the computer altogether! :--(

Thank you again very much for your descriptive and easy to understand explanations, but especially your patience and kindness.:smile:

 

[Free your mind]

I think i would be more worried about mobile-phones then laptops but i do share your concern if there is a risk.?

 

[russ743]

Thanks for the explanation... I have wireless!;-)
Yes, the distance is worrisome, not so much my lap, as I have an inch-thick board across the armrests of the chair I'm sitting in, but my chest. I have it right in front of me with only a few inches inbetween. And something unusual is going on!!
I should have the HARApad in front of me for protection. Or a flexible shield, like they hang around us when taking x-rays.
Seriously, I have to do something! Quitting the internet is one, better yet.. get rid of the computer altogether! :--(

Thank you again very much for your descriptive and easy to understand explanations, but especially your patience and kindness.:smile:

Any time, Loon!! Glad I could be of help, and it's an interesting topic to me so the explanation is no problem. I think it's something people need to know more about, whether it's a health issue or not. It's scary when people use products every day and no one ever tells them the 'additional' things going on. I will continue to research this concern and let you know what I find. Thanks for reading!

 

[Unforgiven]

Its sething I've not really thought much about. Of course I've always felt that you live your life and that's what kills ya. I am surrounded by electronics. All within 2 feet I have 15 things plugged in and running. With in 5 feet, perhaps triple that. I've had this setup for years too.

On the other side of the argument, the amount of things I can do right from where I sit is staggering when I think about it.

 

[DaSleeper]

Some people have said that Macbooks run much cooler and have less radiation....;-)

I suspect it's just hype....:lol:

 

[russ743]

I have heard the same thing about MacBooks, but the user reviews I've read claim that the newest version gets extremely hot. They also use an aluminum casing which is said to reduce the radiation, but I can't see this possibly being true. There are very few, very expensive materials that actually reduce radiation, and simple aluminum is not one of them. I do have a meter to measure EMF, but I haven't had a chance to get my hands on a MacBook to find out yet. Any volunteers?

 

[dancing-loon]

Any time, Loon!! Glad I could be of help, and it's an interesting topic to me so the explanation is no problem. I think it's something people need to know more about, whether it's a health issue or not. It's scary when people use products every day and no one ever tells them the 'additional' things going on. I will continue to research this concern and let you know what I find. Thanks for reading!

:smile: I appreciate that very much. It is the additional things, that are scary. Just consider all the additives in our food, the tempering that goes on!!!

Back to the laptop!;-)
My heart almost stopped, when I read this headline...

Woman killed by laptop in Surrey crash

I was even a little hesitant to read further! But then... a relief! Although this is a sad story, this lady didn't die of radiation or cancer.
Read the link, there's nevertheless a lesson to be learned.
Woman killed by laptop in Surrey crash | Sympatico / MSN Tech & Gadgets

 

[russ743]

:smile: I appreciate that very much. It is the additional things, that are scary. Just consider all the additives in our food, the tempering that goes on!!!

Back to the laptop!;-)
My heart almost stopped, when I read this headline...

Woman killed by laptop in Surrey crash

I was even a little hesitant to read further! But then... a relief! Although this is a sad story, this lady didn't die of radiation or cancer.
Read the link, there's nevertheless a lesson to be learned.
Woman killed by laptop in Surrey crash | Sympatico / MSN Tech & Gadgets

Yeah, I don't think you need to worry about radiation if this is your problem!!!