Re: UV light from computer monitors and cataract formation

["Robert M. Loesch" <loesch@spok.eh.doe.gov>]

At 08:34 AM 8/30/96 -0500, Bruce Hokel wrote:
>One of our employees has contacted me and indicates that his doctor informed
>him that he has the start of cataracts.  The doctor told him that the UV
>light from computer monitors is the second highest causal agent for
>cataracts other than the sun...
>
>Does anyone out there have a "reference" that addresses this matter or any
>information whatsoever?  I would appreciate hearing from you.
>

According to several IH textbooks, no reference is mentioned of a UV hazard
from CRTs.  However, they do discuss UV generation by fluorescent lights but
state that the UV is essentially absorbed by the phosphor coating and glass
walls.  Since CRTs have a significantly higher front wall thickness (1/4"),
I would serious question any statements by the physician about that being the
cause of cataracts.

I would be interested in hearing information to the contrary.

Bob Loesch

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      _/_/	   _/_/      _/_/_/_/   Robert M. Loesch
     _/	 _/     _/   _/     _/         US Department of Energy
    _/	  _/  _/      _/   _/         EH-52, GTN, 270CC
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  _/	 _/  _/      _/  _/  	    Germantown, MD  20874-1290
 _/    _/     _/   _/   _/         Tel: 301 903-4443;  Fax: 301 903-7773
_/_/_/        _/_/     _/_/_/_/   loesch@spok.eh.doe.gov
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 "The definition of a public health disaster is a catastrophe so large
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