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Compuer Users and Their Health

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19 views2 pages

Compuer Users and Their Health

Uploaded by

Tesfaye
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Computer Users and Their Health

Frequent computer users are not usually aware of how they can be damaging their own health.
Unlike cigarettes, computers do not have a government health warning. Whether or not this is an
issue for system administrators is open for discussion, but often the system administrator is the
only person who thinks about the users and the hardware they use. Certainly every administrator
needs to look after his/her own health and, along the way, it is natural to think of the health of
others. Fortunately it is not difficult to avoid the worst problems.

Eyes should be protected. We only have one pair and they must last our entire lives. Ironically,
users who wear glasses (not contact lenses) suffer less from computer usage, because their eyes
are partially protected from the radiation from the screen.
A computer screen works by shooting charged electrons at a phosphorescent surface. If one
touches the screen one notices that it is charged with static electricity. The effect of this is to
charge dust particles and throw them out into users' faces. This can cause irritation to the eyes
over long periods.

Solution

Wear glasses or obtain an anti-static screen with an Earth-wire which counteracts this problem.
Another major cause of eye strain is through reflection. If there is a light source behind a user, it
will reflect in the screen and the eyes will be distracted by the reflection. The image on the
screen lies on the screen surface, any reflected images lie behind the screen (as far behind the
screen as the source is in front of the screen). This confuses the eyes into focusing back and forth
between the reflection and the image. The result is eye-strain. The solution is to
(i) eliminate all sharp light sources which can cause reflections,
(ii) Obtain an anti-reflective screen cover. This can be combined with an anti-static screen
and it is probably the best investment a user can make.
Prolonged eye strain can lead to problems reading and focusing. It can lead to headaches and
neck ache from squinting.

Back

The back (spine) is one of the most complex and important parts of the body. It supports the
upper body and head, and is attached to the brain (where applicable). The upper body is held up
by muscles in the stomach and lower back. If these muscles are relaxed by slouching for long
periods unnecessary strain in placed on muscles and bones which were not meant to bear the
weight of the body.
To avoid back problems, users should
(i) sit in a good chair,
(ii) sit upright, using those all important flat-tummy muscles and lower back muscles to
support your upper body. Don't sit in a draft. Cold air blowing across the back and neck
causes stiffness and tension.
Mouse strain
Mouse strain is a strain in the tendons of the finger and forearm, which spreads to the shoulder
and back and can be quite painful. It comes from using the mouse too much. The symptoms can
be lessened by making sure that users do not sit too far away from the desk where the mouse lies
and by having a support for the mouse forearm. The ultimate solution is simple: don't use the
mouse. Use of the keyboard is far less hazardous. Learning keyboard shortcuts is good for
prolonged work.

Monday, July 26, 1999 Principles of system administration Page: 4


http://www.iu.hioslo.no/~mark/sysadmin/SystemAdmin.html

Pregnancy and cancer.

Some studies recommend that pregnant women wear protective aprons when sitting in front of
computer screens.

Generally

Users should not sit for long periods without taking a break. Look away from the screen (to a far
away object) at regular intervals relaxes the eyes. Walking around exercises the back and relaxes
the shoulders. Use of anti-static, anti-reflective screens is recommended.

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