Since their arrival in the 1970s, visual display units (VDUs) have attracted all manner of health scares.

Many studies, since determined to have been flawed, indicated a link between miscarriages in pregnancies and even birth defects.

Later studies with a bigger demographic could not prove any adverse effect on pregnant women from the use of VDUs. It has now been universally accepted that there are absolutely no side affects from the non-ionising electromagnetic radiation that computer screens emit. They are very different to the harmful rays from an x-ray machine or CT scanner.

Further more modern technology and the now readily available flat screens give off even lower levels of radiation than its last generation cousins.

It is a relief to know that what seemed like irrefutable evidence from research done in both the USA and Canada turned out to be seemingly unfortunate coincidences. The UK’s civil service set a lot of alarm bells ringing when they published their figures.

It showed that 36% of women users went on to have a miscarriage compared with only 19% who did not work in front of a VDU. Later it was discovered that information was gathered in a very unreliable way, with too much reliance on a person’s memory of computer usage.

There are four basic precautions that should be taken by anyone that uses a VDU including taking regular breaks.

Half yearly eye tests are advisable and good back support is essential. Finally your individual set up should avoid any glare and awkward movements.