Health & safety issues in computer graphics (Panel Session)

Dr. Wordie Parr Dr. Parr is Chief of the Physical Agents Effects Branch of NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He is internationally known as an expert in radiation biology. Currently, Dr. Parr's duties involve directing field and research programs in noise and electromagnetic radiation (EMR). As a result of this involvement, one of Dr. Parr's recent activities has been centered around the issue of whether video display terminals (VDTs) pose a radiation health issue to workers in various fields. Dr. Parr and his staff at NIOSH have evaluated over 1000 different VDTs of all types, makes, and models. The results of these evaluations have all been published in the literature and will be reviewed in this session. David Sliney Mr. Sliney has been involved in standards development and in investigating potential hazards associated with lasers and conventional lightsources (including devices using cathode ray tubes and other optical display techniques). He recently co-authored a book on Optical Radiation Safety. R. C. Petersen R. C. Petersen works in the Environmental Health and Safety Department of Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ, where his responsibilities include non-ionizing radiation protection for the Bell System. This assignment includes characterizing and documenting the accessible levels of electromagnetic energy associated with existing and prototype RF and microwave transmission equipment used by the Bell System. W. M. Zuk Dr. W. M. Zuk is Head of the X-Rays Section, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Hazards Division, Health Protection Branch of Health and Welfare Canada. William H. Cushman Dr. William H. Cushman is a research psychologist and ergonomics consultant for Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY. He has particular interests in visual perception, workplace design, lighting and industrial ergonomics. Optical Radiation Emissions from VDTs David Sliney Several groups of scientists in this country and overseas have measured the ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiations emitted by visual display devices to determine if potential optical radiation hazards exist from such displays. These measurements will be explained and conclusions drawn will be summarized and discussed. Radiofrequency and Microwave Emissions from VDTs R. C. Peterson Questions are continually being raised concerning potential health effects associated with exposure to radio frequency and microwave emissions from optical display devices. Because of t