Top Ten Facts About Laptops

Are we parents being fully informed of these facts? 

1.  Laptops Emit Microwave Radiation

All wireless enabled laptops emit microwave radiation. The  radiation levels are highest when you are connected to and using a wireless network.  

A little-known fact is  the laptop will radiate even if you are not using the wireless network. This is called a "digital handshake". The laptop is always "checking in" and searching for a WiFi connection.              Learn more HERE. 



2. A Laptop On The Lap is Considered Incorrect Consumer Use. 

People are NOT supposed to be placing laptops on the lap according to our federal government. 

FCC regulations  state very clearly that:

“mobile devices are transmitters designed to be used in such a way that a separation distance of at least 20 centimeters is normally maintained between the transmitter's radiating structure(s) and the body of the user or nearby persons.”  - FCC BULLETIN 65

3. All Laptops Including Google Chrome Books Have the Same Warnings:  Keep 20 cm (or ~ 8 inches) from the body. 

4.  Laptops are Radiation Safety Tested As If  Our Bodies are Always at Least 20 cm or 8 inches AWAY From The Device. 

US government FCC regulations state that laptops must be tested so that they don't emit high radiation levels which could burn the user. 

However the testing is done at 20 cm (or 8 inches) from the body.   

Laptops are not tested for safety on laps.  

    

5. Children Often Violate These Fine Print Warnings.

Children's arms are smaller  and they tend to sit with their devices differently than adults. Try watching a child with a device.  For a small child it is almost impossible to follow FCC recommendations and keep  8 inches from the body.  

 



6. Doctors Say The Distance Should Be Even More Than 8 inches for a Child. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children are more vulnerable to this radiation and FCC regulations need to be  stricter as they do not adequately protect children. Children's bodies are much smaller than adults,  so they will absorb more of this radiation. 

For example,  their heads will be more directly in front of the antenna and so the radiation will  more directly penetrate their head neck and chest area. 



7.  No Research Has Been Done That Shows the Full Amount of Radiation Children Absorb From Laptops.

We could not find research studies that assessed the amount of radiation children's bodies absorb from laptops use. 

However there is research showing how an adult body absorbs laptop radiation as you can see from the picture to the left.  You can read the full article here from the pic to the left.

8. A Laptop Can Burn Your Legs If You Rest It On Your Lap. 

The picture to the left is an example of burns from a laptop. Using a wireless device such as a laptop at a close distance to your body can result in thermal burns. Sometimes it takes many months or years for the injury to be evident because the radiation can first affect tissues underneath the skin surface. The  process is similar to a microwave where foods are heated from the inside out.  Laptops emit microwaves.
Watch the ABC Video on Laptop Burns Click Here.  





9. Wireless Companies Want to Keep It A Secret. 

The wireless companies claim that there is simply "no need" for  consumer “disclosures”  because it would "confuse the public" and " and cause anxiety" . The say that forcing them to disclose such information is "problematic from a  First Amendment standpoint."  (This means they will sue you - like this.) 

Read what happens when the City of Berkeley California tries to tell the public this information. 


10. Worldwide Laws Are Proposed To Inform Citizens About This Issue.

The former president of Microsoft-CA Frank Clegg has gone on record supporting people's right to know about wireless devices. Bill C-648 would require manufacturers of wireless devices to place health warnings labels on their packaging. (Learn More) Last year in Maine LD:1013 "The Wireless Information Act" passed the State Senate and House but then sunk because of industry pressure. Learn More. 

Do You Think Parents, Teachers and Students 
Should Be Informed? 

Watch this video to see the radiation levels from this laptop. 

Still With Us?  Read More. 

'Toasted Skin Syndrome' Can Be Caused By Warm Laptops, Researchers Warn 

Huffington Post article 

Toasted Skin Warning from Laptops CBS News. 

Burn Injury Caused by Laptop Computers

Sharma G. Burn Injury Caused by Laptop Computers, Ann Med Health Sci Res. Nov 2013; 3(Suppl1): S31–S32.

• Laptop burn is a real condition and medical reports indicate that using a laptop across the legs can indeed cause it. Burning was induced in 3 days by using laptop for 4 h daily. Laptop should be used in properly ventilated and air-conditioned rooms. The most effective way of preventing erythema is to use the laptop on the table or desk.

Paprottka FJ et al. Third-degree burn leading to partial foot amputation--why a notebook is no laptop. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.  2012 Aug;65(8):1119-22. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2011.12.034. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

• Now for the first time, we report on a case, in which notebook-induced thermal injuries placed in a patient's lap resulted in severe second- and third-degree burns. As a consequence, a partial amputation of the left foot had to be performed. 

Arnold A. Laptop Computer–Induced Erythema ab Igne in a Child and Review of the Literature , Pediatrics October 4, 2010.

• We report here the case of a 12-year-old boy with erythema ab igne on his left thigh caused by the use of a laptop computer. This is the youngest of the 10 reported patients with this laptop-induced dermatosis. 

Avendaño C. et al., 2012. Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation. Fertility and Sterility 97(1): 39-45.

• Ex vivo exposure of human spermatozoa to a wireless internet-connected laptop decreased motility and induced DNA fragmentation by a nonthermal effect.

  
  
  
  
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