CRT EVFs & Health Issues? at DVinfo.net

James Emory · July 22nd, 2005, 01:53 PM

I think we've all been told, especially when we were younger, not to sit too close to the television screen and most recently CRT computer monitors because of potentially harmful rays that the screens emit. Wouldn't this apply to all non LCD EVF video cameras from consumer to professional over the last 30 years? I don't think there's much concern for newer cameras with LCD EVFs, but what about the camera operators who looked at the miniature CRT for hours over the decades throughout their careers? It's bad enough looking at one just with your eye but with a diopter focusing the emissions that close to your eye? I guess it hasn't been a real issue since we haven't heard about alot of videographers with eye cancer. Is there any information about this?

Pete Bauer · July 22nd, 2005, 05:29 PM

I remember being told the same thing when I was young...parents made us sit back at least 6 feet from our family's black and white television because of general radiation exposure, or eye damage.

Of course, since then this has been studied up one side and down the other. A present, best available information fails to find any health risks from electromagnetic fields (EMF) or ionizing radiation from CRTs. For those with interest, here's a 1999 NIOSH compendium on the topic:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/99-135.pdf

PDF Page 64 (page 58 as printed on the page) has the conclusion paragraph related to radiation.

July 22nd, 2005, 01:53 PM	#1
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	CRT EVFs & Health Issues? I think we've all been told, especially when we were younger, not to sit too close to the television screen and most recently CRT computer monitors because of potentially harmful rays that the screens emit. Wouldn't this apply to all non LCD EVF video cameras from consumer to professional over the last 30 years? I don't think there's much concern for newer cameras with LCD EVFs, but what about the camera operators who looked at the miniature CRT for hours over the decades throughout their careers? It's bad enough looking at one just with your eye but with a diopter focusing the emissions that close to your eye? I guess it hasn't been a real issue since we haven't heard about alot of videographers with eye cancer. Is there any information about this?

July 22nd, 2005, 05:29 PM	#2
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	I remember being told the same thing when I was young...parents made us sit back at least 6 feet from our family's black and white television because of general radiation exposure, or eye damage. Of course, since then this has been studied up one side and down the other. A present, best available information fails to find any health risks from electromagnetic fields (EMF) or ionizing radiation from CRTs. For those with interest, here's a 1999 NIOSH compendium on the topic: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/99-135.pdf PDF Page 64 (page 58 as printed on the page) has the conclusion paragraph related to radiation. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!