Re:Computer expsure question

[Guest guest]

I am posting the below article from a science news website, because it may apply

to you. But, MY personal computer toxic reaction has nothing to do with the

computer " heating up " before generating fumes. I went through 5 computers,

before finding a very old laptop that does not make me sick. Some of the

computers made me sick AS I WAS SLIDING THEM OUT OF THEIR CARTON, before

plugging them into an electric outlet.

I also get the same reaction from T.V. sets. Both my T.V.'s died within the

same week, recently, and I bought new ones to replace them. (2 different brands)

Both new T.V.'s gave me the exact same reaction as the new computers had given

me. Also, a 6 year old T.V. gave me the same reaction. Since I am an asthmatic,

my weakest body part is my lungs. So, the " toxic " (non-asthmatic) reactions that

I experience, are primarily not being able to breathe. [asthma medicine only

PARTIALLY releives the symptoms, and wears off more rapidly than when taken for

asthma] The other toxic reactions are the feeling that every cell in my body is

exploding, and an emotional psychological feeling that I am going insane, and a

resulting feeling that I want to kill anyone that tells me that I " really can't

be THAT sick, and so it must be all in my head. "

But, in any case, here is the science news article (from 2000)

Joe

.................................................................................\

.....

Chemical Found In Computer Can Cause Allergy, Sickness

ScienceDaily (Sep. 19, 2000) — Does computer work give you a headache? You've

got company. New research suggests that emissions from the plastic of your

computer's video monitor may be affecting your health, according to a Swedish

study presented in the current (Sept. 15) edition of Environmental Science &

Technology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the

world's largest scientific society.

---------------------------------

Triphenyl phosphate - a chemical compound widely used as a flame retardant in

the plastic of video monitors and other products - is known to cause allergic

reactions in some people. The reactions can range from itching and nasal

congestion to headaches.

The monitor emits the compound when its temperature rises during normal

operations, said Conny Ostman, lead author of the study, from Stockholm

University in Sweden. It is unknown how much exposure can cause an allergic

reaction, he added. What is known is that new computers emit more of the

compound than older ones.

" We have focused our interest on this compound since it has been proven to be

a contact allergen to man and due to the fact that a number of workers in Sweden

have acquired health problems related to computer work, " Ostman said.

The researchers measured the level of the compound in the " breathing zone, "

located approximately two feet in front of the video screen. Temperatures of the

operating monitors ranged between 122 degrees and 131 degrees Fahrenheit. The

researchers tested the bodies of computers as well, but found they contained no

significant amounts of the compound.

The emissions levels dropped sharply after eight days of continuous operation,

the researchers found, but remained 10 times higher than the background level

even after 183 days - roughly the equivalent of approximately two years of

working use.

Computers are a significant source of allergenic emissions in small indoor

environments like offices, Ostman said. Even with adequate ventilation, the

compound may be a potential health hazard for computer users, he continued.

The researchers found appreciable concentrations of the compound in 10 of the

18 brand-new video monitors they tested. Ostman declined to name their

manufacturer, saying that nearly all manufacturers use the same flame-retardant

compound. The presence and levels of triphenyl phosphate in monitors varied with

the place where they were manufactured, he explained.

The research cited above was supported by the National Institute for Working

Life and the Swedish Council for Work Life.

Adapted from materials provided by American Chemical Society.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/09/000919080653.htm

[Guest guest]

I can relate. As soon as we opened our Direct TV component and wires,

I could smell formaldehyde. We kept it in our family room for only a

few hours before I got violently sick and then I pulled all the wiring

out and put it in the garage. Smell was gone in the FR at least. I

closed my account.

[Guest guest]

Thank you everyone for your response to my computer exposure

question. Not only did I work 17 years in an office with water

leaking in a storage room that we kept the door shut cause it smelled

modly all the time, but I worked where the buildings main server and

other computer equipment were housed. The outer office had several

other desktop computers that I remember used to smell like hot

plastic. We had other equipment that sorted paper documents at high

speed and left thick amounts of paper dust in the air. It also

housed high speed printers and mailing equipment. After I had to

quit due to illness, they completely remodeled of the area and found

out the fresh air vents were never installed properly and we did not

have any fresh air coming into the office. I had no idea, on top of

the mold exposure, that the computers could have added to my misery.

I see a mold doctor on Wednesday and will discuss with him. Good

grief! DR

>

> I am posting the below article from a science news website, because

it may apply to you. But, MY personal computer toxic reaction has

nothing to do with the computer " heating up " before generating fumes.

I went through 5 computers, before finding a very old laptop that

does not make me sick. Some of the computers made me sick AS I WAS

SLIDING THEM OUT OF THEIR CARTON, before plugging them into an

electric outlet.

>

> I also get the same reaction from T.V. sets. Both my T.V.'s died

within the same week, recently, and I bought new ones to replace

them. (2 different brands) Both new T.V.'s gave me the exact same

reaction as the new computers had given me. Also, a 6 year old T.V.

gave me the same reaction. Since I am an asthmatic, my weakest body

part is my lungs. So, the " toxic " (non-asthmatic) reactions that I

experience, are primarily not being able to breathe. [asthma medicine

only PARTIALLY releives the symptoms, and wears off more rapidly than

when taken for asthma] The other toxic reactions are the feeling that

every cell in my body is exploding, and an emotional psychological

feeling that I am going insane, and a resulting feeling that I want

to kill anyone that tells me that I " really can't be THAT sick, and

so it must be all in my head. "

>

> But, in any case, here is the science news article (from 2000)

>

> Joe

> ..................................................................

...................

>

> Chemical Found In Computer Can Cause Allergy, Sickness

>

> ScienceDaily (Sep. 19, 2000) — Does computer work give you a

headache? You've got company. New research suggests that emissions

from the plastic of your computer's video monitor may be affecting

your health, according to a Swedish study presented in the current

(Sept. 15) edition of Environmental Science & Technology, a peer-

reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world's

largest scientific society.

>

> ---------------------------------

>

> Triphenyl phosphate - a chemical compound widely used as a flame

retardant in the plastic of video monitors and other products - is

known to cause allergic reactions in some people. The reactions can

range from itching and nasal congestion to headaches.

>

> The monitor emits the compound when its temperature rises during

normal operations, said Conny Ostman, lead author of the study, from

Stockholm University in Sweden. It is unknown how much exposure can

cause an allergic reaction, he added. What is known is that new

computers emit more of the compound than older ones.

>

> " We have focused our interest on this compound since it has been

proven to be a contact allergen to man and due to the fact that a

number of workers in Sweden have acquired health problems related to

computer work, " Ostman said.

> The researchers measured the level of the compound in

the " breathing zone, " located approximately two feet in front of the

video screen. Temperatures of the operating monitors ranged between

122 degrees and 131 degrees Fahrenheit. The researchers tested the

bodies of computers as well, but found they contained no significant

amounts of the compound.

>

> The emissions levels dropped sharply after eight days of

continuous operation, the researchers found, but remained 10 times

higher than the background level even after 183 days - roughly the

equivalent of approximately two years of working use.

> Computers are a significant source of allergenic emissions in

small indoor environments like offices, Ostman said. Even with

adequate ventilation, the compound may be a potential health hazard

for computer users, he continued.

>

> The researchers found appreciable concentrations of the compound

in 10 of the 18 brand-new video monitors they tested. Ostman declined

to name their manufacturer, saying that nearly all manufacturers use

the same flame-retardant compound. The presence and levels of

triphenyl phosphate in monitors varied with the place where they were

manufactured, he explained.

>

> The research cited above was supported by the National Institute

for Working Life and the Swedish Council for Work Life.

> Adapted from materials provided by American Chemical Society.

>

> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/09/000919080653.htm

>

>

>