New ways of working like working from home or hybrid working model requires us to use laptops. So what you think about the question in the title? And, if you spend most of your day working on a laptop, then these things will surprise you.
With laptops and tablet devices becoming ubiquitous over the past few years, there has been a rise in the number of cases of people using devices on their lap. Many people believe that this can be harmful to our health and is a cause for cancer.
Most people put their laptops on their laps for convenience. But is it really safe? The truth about this question is that using laptop on the lap can harm our health, just like sitting on the couch or office chair. And yes, can it even cause cancer?
This is something that's been a long-debated topic and we've got your answers right here.
In this article, I’ll be describing the health dangers of using laptop on the lap and give you some tips on how to avoid or reduce these dangers.
The laptop is one of the most important tools in today's life. It has become a necessity for many.
Does the laptop cause cancer?
The laptop is a very useful device. It helps us to work more efficiently and helps to keep us connected to friends and family. But as with any device, it can cause some problems. One of the most common concerns is that the laptop can cause cancer. Is this true? Well, the answer is no.
Yes, a laptop does not cause cancer. The laptop does produce radiation, but it is not enough to cause cancer. The laptop is not the only device that emits radiation, and it is not the only device that can cause cancer. It is true that the laptop emits radiation, but it is not enough to cause cancer. The radiation from the laptop is too small to cause cancer and too weak to cause cancer.
However, there are other health concerns associated with the use of laptop on your lap.
How does the laptop affect our health?
According to Cancer Council, Australia - There have been instances of persons using laptops lying on their thighs for extended periods of time developing "toasted skin syndrome," a condition characterised by mottled skin produced by prolonged heat exposure. Although some contend that such harm may eventually cause skin cancer, there is no evidence to support this assertion.
Sometimes the laptop gets heated up causing warmth to your lap and private region. You might start to worry about the health risk associated with it.
Can the use of a laptop on your lap cause infertility?
It's like you are playing with your balls. The more aware you are, the safer you would be. To know the answer we need to understand that the laptop radiates an electromagnetic field. This emission cannot be seen or felt but the long term exposure to radiation can cause harmful effects.
The laptop mainly emits two kinds of EMF radiation.
1. Radio Frequency Radiation
This type of radiation is released when the laptop tries to establish a connection with other devices around such as a WIFI router or Bluetooth.
2. Low-Frequency Radiation
This radiation is caused when the laptop uses electrical energy to perform various functions. The components release this kind of radiation.
Ionizing or non-ionizing radiation
The low-frequency radiations are non-ionizing such as those emitted by electronic devices and appliances at home. The term non-ionizing refers to radiations in the electromagnetic spectrum in which the energy is insufficient to cause ionization.
Ionizing radiations are more harmful and are high-frequency radiations such as those in x-rays or nuclear emissions.
But do these radiations cause infertility?
Absolutely no...
The Verge, in a recent interaction with various fertility doctors, found that there is no evidence to prove that laptops can cause infertility.
However, along with EMF radiation, laptops also emits thermal radiation. This small amount of radiation won't cause any fertility issues. But, if you are using a laptop for a prolonged time then, these may cause some issues.
The safe amount of radiation is 2 MilliGauss and the laptop emits around 150 MilliGauss when used for hours together.
According to a study conducted by Time, the heat from the laptop won't burn you but the slight increase in temperature as low as 2 degrees Fahrenheit can surely impact your fertility.
Men are more susceptible to radiation than women due to their anatomy. Pregnant women should also avoid EMF and the heat from the laptop. The worst thing is using the laptop by placing it on your stomach without any kind of shield or protection.
Studies have found that EMF can cause a variety of health issues such as headaches, insomnia, and fatigue. The exposure to heat from the laptop raises the temperature in the cells causing it to accelerate its natural death - a process called 'Apoptosis'. It also decreases cell immunity and causes DNA damage in cells in some cases. This may have a carcinogenic effect on some people. Skin inflammation and rashes are also common effects of laptop radiation on the body.
How to avoid effects of EMF on your health?
You can avoid EMF radiations by following the tips mentioned below.
1. Reduce your laptop and WiFi usage
It may be not possible to avoid the use of laptops but you can definitely reduce it to the extent possible. When not in use turn off the laptop completely. The same applies to WiFi also. If you are using a laptop and the activity does require the use of WiFi, it is better to turn off the WiFi transmitters and receivers.
2. Use Shield to protect you from laptop radiation
You can buy an EMF shield, which can drastically reduce your exposure to the laptop radiations. These shields are made up of materials that actually block the radiation from passing through it. Additionally, they are heat resistant, effectively blocking the heat from the laptop affecting your body.
3. Maintain some distance when using your laptop
Instead of using the laptop on your lap, you can place it over a table or desk. This will keep the radiation affecting you as low as possible.
Conclusion
Laptops are extremely convenient and provide us with the ability to do a lot of things. However, there are some people who are concerned about the health risks of using a laptop on the lap. These people are concerned that the laptop is raising the risk of cancer. This is a valid concern because it is true that the laptop is a source of radiation. However, it is still not possible to link the use of a laptop to cancer.
Radiation from a laptop can be harmful if you use it for a prolonged period. Using it for a short duration and away from your body like on a desk or table would not cause you any harm. In that case, the levels of radiation are almost similar to what is present in the environment.
.jpg "Linking to Bookmark in Word Document Saved on SharePoint")
