By 2000 there will be more than 150 million VDUs worldwide.
The monitor monitors say we're not to worry.

Over 30 years have passed since the introduction of mass-produced video display units (VDUs) into the workplace. When first introduced,VDUs were suggested as the cause of many health complaints. Many scientific studies were conducted to determine if electromagnetic fields (EMF) could have any health consequence. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies have reviewed factors, including indoor air quality, job-related stress and ergonomic issues, such as posture and seating, while using a VDU. These studies have suggested that the work environment, and not EMF emissions from VDUs, may be a determining factor of possible health effects associated with VDU use.

Suggestions that working with a VDU could affect the outcome of a pregnancy arose in the late 1970s, when several "clusters of adverse pregnancy outcomes" were noticed in Australia, Europe and North America. This led to many epidemiological and animal studies being conducted in North America and Europe, which failed to demonstrate any effect on reproductive processes due to EMF emitted from VDUs, but suggested, however, the role of other work factors such as job stress. Cataracts and other eye diseases were not found to have any link with VDU work, although glare and reflections from VDU screens can be a source of eye strain and headaches in extreme circumstances. Instances of skin rashes or itching have been studied, particularly in Scandinavian countries, showing these were not a result of any EMF exposure.

Researchers have studied various factors related to the indoor work environment. These include indoor air quality, room temperature, eye fatigue caused by improper illumination, and ergonomically improper workstations. Some individuals have experienced headaches or dizziness, and musculo-skeletal discomfort. These are largely preventable by measures such as designing equipment, lighting and other aspects of the environment to encourage proper posture and reduce muscular and eye strain and other stress-producing tensions. These conclusions agree with reviews conducted by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, the International Labour Office (ILO) and WHO.

Fear of adverse health effects from EMF emitted by VDUs has led to a proliferation of products supposedly offering protection from any adverse effects of these fields and radiation. These include special aprons, screen shields or "radiation absorbing" devices for use with VDUs. These items have no protective effect whatsoever on VDU emissions. Even those that do reduce emissions are of no practical value since the EMF fields and radiation are only a very small fraction of exposure limits permitted in national and international standards. Except for screens that reduce glare (causing eyestrain), protective devices are not recommended by WHO. Use of protective devices to reduce EMF emissions is also not recommended by the ILO.