Cadmium :

Cadmium is an extremely toxic metal. It has a possible risk of irremediable effects on human health. Cadmium and cadmium compounds amass in the human body, in particular in kidneys. Cadmium is absorbed mainly through respiration but also enters as food. Due to its long half-life period (30 years), cadmium can easily be accumulated in amounts that cause symptoms of poisoning. Cadmium shows a danger of cumulative effects in the environment due to its acute and chronic toxicity.

In electrical and electronic equipment, cadmium occurs in certain components such as SMD, chip resistors, infrared detectors and semiconductors. Older types of cathode ray tubes contain cadmium. Moreover, cadmium is used as a plastic stabilizer. It is also used in Batteries, PWBs, etc. As computers become obsolete, more and more cadmium gets accumulated which is harmful to our health.

Mercury

Mercury is a powerful poison. Published research has shown that mercury, even in small amounts, is more toxic than lead, cadmium and even arsenic! It is estimated that 22 % of the yearly world consumption of mercury is used in electrical and electronic equipment. It is used in mobile phones, Batteries, PWBs. Although mercury is just 0.0022% of the total weight of the computer, it is still a health hazard. As computers become obsolete, more and more mercury gets accumulated which is harmful to our health.

Other hazardous metals used in electronics are: Arsenic (0.0013%), Barium (0.0315%), Selenium (0.0016%), Silver (0.0189%).

Note: These alarming statistics have been revealed to make every one aware of the environmental and health hazards of computers.

Electromagnetic radiation and computer use causing Ergonomic Problems:

The biggest risk to life from computers is electricity. Electric shock from mains voltage is often fatal. Ensure that cables are inserted correctly and are checked regularly. Computers and associated equipment do produce very small electromagnetic fields. There is no evidence that there is any hazard from these fields. There is no risk to unborn children in computer workers who are pregnant.

Work with display screen equipment and computers:

1. Does not damage eyesight

2. Does not affect pregnant women or their unborn children

3. Does not cause cancer

Legislation

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 set out the approach that employers have to take with staffs who use computers and display screen equipment as a part of their jobs. The employer must arrange an assessment that covers many of the points mentioned above. If the employer decides that an individual is a "user", the "user" must be offered an eyesight test. If glasses are required to use display screen equipment (and only display screen equipment) the employer must provide corrective lenses. The number of computers in the workplace has increased rapidly over the last few years and it's now almost the norm for most staff in voluntary organizations to be exposed to computer usage.

The Health and Safety at Work Act now lays down legal standards for computer equipment and requires employers to take steps to minimize risks for all workers. Workers have received substantial damages for injuries caused through use of computers where the employer could have foreseen the risk but did nothing about it.

The main regulations covering the use of computer equipment include:

1) Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

2) Management of Health & Safety at work Regulations 1992

3) Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992

4) Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Improving health and safety practice should be taken seriously although it need not take much time or expense. Measures employers should take include:

1) Understanding the law - make sure someone in the organization has a health and safety brief covering all areas and not just computers

2) Being aware of the health risks - the government officially recognizes some of the risks although there are some gray areas you'll need to make up your own mind about

3) Assessing the risks - using procedures set out in the law - be systematic and get help if you need it. Get a health and safety audit done by a competent organization if necessary

4) Taking steps to minimize the Ergonomic Problems - this may only involve taking simple measures

5) Training all users to recognize the risks - if people aren't aware of the dangers, they can't take adequate precautions to protect their health

6) Taking users views seriously - if users feel there is something wrong, there often is something wrong.