Editorial [Apr. 1990--Electronic Servicing & Technology]

The hazards of the job

There was a time when we were bliss fully unaware of the hazards to our health presented by substances we en counter in everyday life. Then biological researchers began finding that certain substances, some forms of radiation, and even such conditions as overcrowding could be detrimental to our mental and physical well being.

Findings such as these can cause concern and may lead to hasty action. For example, when researchers performed studies involving the feeding of massive amounts of the artificial sweetener cyclamate, an alternative to saccharin, to laboratory rats, the studies suggested that cyclamate was a cancer-causing agent, so it was taken off the market.

Further testing failed to corroborate the results of the initial testing of cyclamate, and it now appears that that testing was flawed.

On the other hand, it can often be hard to prove definitely that some hazards are real. For example, there has never been any clear-cut "proof" that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer and many of the other ills linked to it, yet the weight of evidence is over whelming that cigarette smoking is extremely hazardous to the health of the smoker, and not all that good for others who share that smoke.

Some hazards are job-related. One such possible hazard to the electronics servicer involves consumer electronics products.

It has been known for many years that ionizing radiation, such as X-rays and radiation caused by decay of radioactive materials, can cause adverse health effects in humans. However, several recent studies have produced evidence that even non-ionizing radiation - electromagnetic fields from electric wires, transformers or any product that carries an electric current -- may be hazardous to the health of humans who are exposed to such radiation.

For example, according to an article by Paul Brodeur in the Nov. 7, 1989, is sue of Family Circle magazine, a study performed in Boulder, CO, has turned up evidence that children who live in homes that are located close to power line transformers have a higher incidence of leukemia than children whose homes are located farther from the transformers.

According to the same article, there appears to be other evidence that corroborates this finding. In 1986, the association between high-current wires and childhood cancer was confirmed by a major study conducted under the auspices of the New York State Department of Health. The report stated, "Prolonged exposure to low-level magnetic fields may increase the risk of developing cancer in children." A similar finding was announced by scientists studying childhood cancer in Sweden.

The article lists other preliminary evidence: In 1985, a jury in Houston found "clear and convincing evidence" of potential health hazards from power lines near schools and awarded damages against Houston Lighting & Power; in 1989, a Florida judge ordered children not to play in a Boca Raton school yard near overhead power lines. The article even suggested staying three feet back from your TV or CRT, keeping your electric alarm clock some distance from your bedside, and forgoing your electric blanket.

Our purpose here isn't to raise an alarm. Not enough testing has been done to determine the validity of studies that suggest there are adverse health effects caused by non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. The jury will be out for a long time on this subject. Until all the evidence is in, however, evidence suggests that anyone whose work involves long hours in close proximity to energized electrical/electronic equipment (for example, consumer electronics servicers) take whatever measures he can to minimize exposure to this form of radiation. For example, putting the burn-in bench some distance from where technicians are working can re duce the hazard considerably.

We are currently working on a special issue that will be published in the fall, detailing as much information on this subject as we can. If you have experienced health effects that you suspect may be caused by exposure to electric and magnetic fields related to your work, please write or call. We'd like to talk to you.

Call us at 913-541-6662 or send your correspondence to:

Hazards Electronic Servicing & Technology, P.O. Box 12901, Overland Park, KS 66212.