Is radiation from interactive whiteboards harmful?

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 | IWBs

You are exposed to increasing levels of radiation from a variety of sources: cordless phones, cell phones and their transmission towers, TV sets, satellites, computers, wireless internet, fax machines, copiers, domestic appliances and many more.  The experts disagree about the effect of radiation on our health and more research must be done before we will know for sure.

Does an interactive whiteboard expose you to additional radiation?

Yes, it does – not the board itself, but the data projector and computer that form part of the interactive solution.   Some radiation is emitted by the computer monitor, the hard disk and the different electronic components of the computer and the data projector. 

You don’t have to have undue concern about radiation – the radiation is minimal, less than that of a cell phone.  When using an interactive whiteboard you are further away from the components than a normal computer user.  There is no indication at present that it is unsafe to use this device in your classroom.  In any case, the amount of radiation from your board fades into insignificance when compared with the radiation caused by all the cell phones in the bags of your learners in the classroom!

In the absence of conclusive evidence it won’t hurt to be careful.  If you are concerned about the possible harmful effects of radiation caused by the electronic whiteboard and other electronic components in your classroom, follow the measures that are suggested to counteract radiation:

Do not work for prolonged periods with the device.

Eat enough vegetables and fruit.

Drink sufficient water.

Since laptops emit less radiation than a desktop computer, rather use a laptop to drive your interactive whiteboard.

Radiation caused by wireless connections is more harmful than radiation caused by wired equipment – you may have to rethink the use of wireless technology in the classroom.

If you still feel that an interactive whiteboard poses too much of a risk to your health, and would therefore not use one, then you should also get rid of your home computer, TV set, microwave oven, cell phone, fax machine, copier and all other sources of radiation in the house and classroom.

Click here for more information about interactive whiteboards.

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