This article was published in FDA Consumer magazine several years ago. It is no longer being maintained and may contain information that is out of date. You may find more current information on this topic in more recent issues of FDA Consumer or elsewhere on the FDA Website, by checking the site index or home page, or by searching the site.

Playing It Safe at Work 
by Jessica Auerbach

    When most people think of workplace hazards, they picture mines,          
factories, or a construction site. Not many would consider a school           
gymnasium or a comfortable office an unsafe place to work. However, even the  
most mundane work environments can pose health hazards that might range from  
mild discomfort to serious injury or illness. In some cases, the Food and     
Drug Administration plays a role in limiting these hazards.

Mercury Vapor Lamps
    Mercury vapor lamps, most often used to light streets, gymnasiums,        
sports arenas, banks, and stores must be maintained properly to be safe.      
These lamps are composed of an inner quartz tube containing the mercury       
vapor, enclosed by an outer envelope that filters out harmful short           
wavelength ultraviolet radiation. If the outer envelope is broken and the     
lamp continues to operate, intense ultraviolet radiation is emitted.
    UV exposure at this level has produced photokeratitis (corneal burns)     
and reddening of the skin, as well as blurred or double vision, headaches,    
nausea, and diarrhea. Most injuries have occurred in school gymnasiums after  
the lamps were struck and partially broken by sports equipment.
    FDA issued a performance standard for high-intensity mercury vapor        
discharge lamps on March 7, 1980, allowing the manufacture of two types of    
mercury vapor lamps. One type, marked "T," is equipped with a                 
self-extinguishing device that shuts the lamp off within 15 minutes after     
the outer envelope is broken. The other type of lamp, marked "R," does not    
contain a self-extinguishing feature. It may be used only in a fixture with   
a glass or plastic shield capable of absorbing hazardous ultraviolet          
radiation, or in areas where people will not be exposed to UV radiation if    
the outer globe is broken.
    A 1980 FDA alert defines labeling that must appear on                     
non-self-extinguishing mercury vapor lamps. This labeling includes the        
following instructions:
- Check the lamps regularly for missing, broken or punctured outer bulbs.     
This should be done with the lamps off.
- If a lamp is broken, turn the lamp off immediately. 
- Replace lamps only when the lamps are off.
- Persons exposed to ultraviolet radiation from a damaged lamp should see a   
doctor if symptoms of skin burns or eye irritation occur.
- Report injuries to your state health department and to FDA.
    The labeling for self-extinguishing "T" lamps must also state, "This      
lamp should self-extinguish within 15 minutes after the outer envelope is     
broken or punctured. If such damage occurs, TURN OFF AND REMOVE LAMP to       
avoid possible injury from hazardous shortwave ultraviolet radiation."
    People near a broken mercury vapor lamp should leave the area             
immediately while taking steps to limit UV exposure to their eyes and skin    
by donning outerwear (coats or sweaters, for example) and sunglasses.

Radiation
    At the end of World War II, the forerunner of the Nuclear Regulatory      
Commission was given jurisdiction over all radioactive materials capable of   
being used to build atomic weapons, including those used for medical          
diagnosis and treatment. FDA has jurisdiction over products that emit         
x-rays, overseeing their safety and effectiveness, while individual states    
have the power to set licensing standards for both facilities using x-rays    
and the technicians who use such equipment.
    Public Law 90-602, enacted in the 1960s, gives FDA jurisdiction over      
electronic products that emit nonionizing radiation, such as microwave ovens  
and color televisions. FDA develops performance standards for these products  
and provides educational materials for consumers. The National Council on     
Radiation Protection, with input from experts around the country, formulates  
guidelines on radiation safety that are nationally accepted.
    If you have any questions about radiation safety from ionizing            
materials, contact your individual state radiation control office. FDA's      
Center for Devices and Radiological Health's consumer affairs division has    
consumer information on nonionizing radiation--such as that from microwave    
ovens, electric blankets, and televisions--and also has consumer information  
on products such as lasers (both medical and entertainment), airport x-ray    
machines, and medical x-rays.

Video Display Terminals
    Video display terminals (VDTs) are a staple in today's workplace. While   
some people use their terminals only intermittently during the day, others    
face their screens constantly as part of their jobs--making airline or        
concert reservations, for example. Despite lack of scientific data on         
serious health hazards, some people still fear that VDTs may cause cancer,    
immune system irregularities, or miscarriages.
    The most common complaints from constant VDT users are dry or burning     
eyes, eye fatigue, blurred vision, and aches in the neck and back. A few      
simple steps can alleviate these discomforts:
- Use good room lighting. Adjust the room lighting levels and properly        
position the computer to get the room lighting that is most comfortable. The  
typical office lighting may be too bright for computer work.
- Eliminate sources of glare. Use drapes and blinds on windows. Don't sit     
facing a bright window. If necessary, use screen hoods or glare shields over  
the screen. Lower light levels in the room may reduce glare.
- Adjust the screen brightness and contrast so that it is comfortable for     
you. 
- Rest occasionally during periods of intense concentration. The National     
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health recommends taking a 15-minute     
rest break every hour from highly demanding computer tasks. Don't forget to   
blink frequently to reduce dryness and irritation. Looking at a distant       
object can relax your eyes. Closing your eyes can also help.
- Maintain a good viewing distance. Close viewing may cause focusing          
fatigue. Adjust the workstation so that keyboard, screen, and paper copy are  
an equal distance from the eyes with the screen slightly (about 20 degrees)   
below eye level. It is helpful to use a copyholder. A good viewing distance   
is 22 to 26 inches.
- Talk to an eye-care professional about special glasses or an altered        
prescription. Some people may need special glasses for focusing at the        
intermediate distance that is neither as long a distance as prescriptions     
for nearsightedness usually encompass, nor a typical reading distance. This   
is particularly true if you wear reading glasses or bifocals. Tell your       
eye-care professional if you use a computer for long periods, and discuss     
any eye discomfort you have.
- Keep the work environment free of dust. Dust can make the eyes tear, feel   
gritty, or turn red. Proper humidity and ventilation are important. There     
are cleaners available to remove dust from the screen.

What About ELF?
    Another serious concern associated with VDTs is the extremely low         
frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields they produce. Alternating only 60      
times a second, the effects of these fields are at the center of a            
scientific controversy. Some studies of humans exposed to ELF radiation have  
suggested an association between this exposure and certain types of cancer.   
But the evidence is not clear. For example, other human studies do not show   
an increased cancer risk. Even those studies with positive results have not   
been able to accurately determine how much ELF radiation people in the        
studies received, making it difficult to determine the risk, if any. And      
animal experiments have thus far failed to show a cancer-causing effect.
    Some studies have also raised the question of an increased risk of        
miscarriages and other problems during pregnancy among women exposed to ELF   
fields. The evidence for these effects is even more uncertain than that for   
cancer.
    Although existing studies raise concern about the possibility of health   
effects from ELF radiation, the scientific evidence is not sufficient at      
present to warrant regulatory action by FDA. The agency believes that the     
most prudent course of action is for it to continue to monitor the research   
in this field and, in the meantime, to work with manufacturers to reduce      
levels of ELF radiation.
    To address these concerns, some VDT manufacturers are beginning to        
produce terminals that emit less ELF radiation. In the meantime, some people  
may wish to reduce their exposure, despite the absence of scientific          
evidence pointing to a clear health hazard by taking three simple steps:
- Turn off the VDT when not in use.
- Position yourself approximately 22 to 28 inches (arm's length) from the     
screen when using the VDT. If possible, use an adjustable computer shelf so   
you can position the keyboard further from the screen. ELF emissions fall     
off drastically after a distance of 28 inches, so sitting at least that far   
from the screen will reduce exposure.
- Position yourself approximately four feet from the sides and rear of other  
terminals. ELF emissions are greater from these parts of VDTs than from the   
front screen.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    VDTs have also spawned a rise in carpal tunnel syndrome, or repetitive    
motion injury. This hand condition results from performing the same motions   
for hours at a time, as when a terminal operator types continuously. The      
syndrome is named for the narrow tunnel in the wrist formed by ligament and   
bone. Tendons that enable the hand to close pass through the carpal tunnel.   
Injury to this part of the body can cause numbness or weakness, tingling and  
burning in the fingers and hands, or difficulty opening and closing hands.    
If the condition is not treated, permanent injury and loss of the use of the  
hand are possible.
    The American Physical Therapy Association recommends several steps to     
prevent or alleviate the symptoms or carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Keep wrists relaxed and straight, using only finger movements to strike     
the keys. Your typing table should be slightly higher than your elbows when   
your arms are held relaxed by your sides. Rest your elbows by your sides or   
support them with special arm rests now available on some office chairs.      
Relax your shoulders and keep them level.
- Press keys with the minimum pressure necessary. Make sure the keyboard is   
kept clean and in good working order to minimize resistance.
- Move your entire hand to press hard-to-reach keys rather than               
overextending your fingers. Use two hands if necessary to execute             
combination keystrokes, such as shifting to upper case.
- Break up typing tasks with other activities--such as proofreading, filing,  
or telephone work--to rest fatigued muscles.

Protective Eyewear
    For students and teachers, shop and science labs pose a danger of eye     
injuries from foreign objects. Some sports and hobbies can also pose a risk   
of eye injury. Chemicals or tools can damage unprotected eyes.
    Although FDA regulates regular glasses, sunglasses and goggles, the       
Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates job-related           
protective eye equipment. All major component parts of industrial-type eye    
protectors that conform with the OSHA standard are marked Z87, and the        
manufacturer's monogram is marked on each lens. Most states require Z87       
eyewear for protection for certain occupations.
    Choose protective eyewear to shield you from foreign objects, heat,       
chemicals, dust, and radiation. Safety glasses or goggles with side shields   
provide protection from frontal and side impact and are designed for such     
projects as woodworking. These are "primary protectors." For protection       
against severe hazards such as arc welding or furnace operations, face        
shields and welding helmets, called "secondary protectors," must be worn in   
addition to the safety glasses or goggles. (See chart.)
    Our ability to identify deleterious health effects from advancing         
technology is evolving. As we attempt to keep pace with rapid workplace       
innovations, some basic safety rules can do much to minimize risk: Keep       
equipment in good working order, follow directions for use carefully, and     
use common sense when operating machines. n

Jessica Auerbach is a member of FDA's division of consumer affairs in the     
Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Paula Silberberg of the center    
also contributed to this article.

Protective Gear

Please note that face shields or welding helmets should be worn over safety   
glasses or goggles.

    For more information on workplace safety, contact the following           
organizations:

Food and Drug Administration
Division of Consumer Affairs (HFZ-210)
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Md. 20857

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Ga. 30333

National Council on Radiation Protection
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 800
Bethesda, Md. 20814

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210
(for the free booklet Working Safely with VDTs, send a self-addressed label   
and a request for publication #3092 to room N3101 at the above address)

The American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Va. 22314
(send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for free brochures on carpal tunnel  
syndrome and posture and back problems related to VDTs)