Radiation from Different Parts of Laptops

Abstract

Radiation from laptop cannot be seen by the naked eyes, but it can pose real dangers to our health. If only we are a few feet away to our laptops, otherwise when laptops are placed and used directly on our laps, it exposes us to quite more intense radiation that are harmful. It has been said that the amount of radiation emitted by desktop computers is generally higher than that which is emitted from Laptop or notebook computers. And the use of small-sized components, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are some of the main reasons why that is so. Furthermore, since these laptops are battery operated and this plays a major role in reducing the rate of radiation emitted from these portable computers. But internal parts of laptop heat up and radiate. There is a generation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)by laptop from storage and computing processing. Placing the laptop on the lap make to be very close to the genitals, skin and muscles. Prolonged exposure to this radiation may produce biological effects on human health. This work used Cell Sensor manufactured by Action Electronic, USA to detect ELF from fourteen (14) laptops and mini laptops. It was found that the keyboard of the laptop emitted highest value of ELF radiation while the back of the laptop had the lowest ELF radiation. The highest ELF at 0 cm for different parts measured are 5 mG, 5 mG,3.5 mG and 0.7 mG for laptop keyboard, mouse pad, fan and screen respectively. There is no ELF measured at the back of the laptops except in AMP with ELF of 0.1 mG at 0 cm. Mini laptops were observed emit less ELF radiation than laptops of size ranging from 14 inches – 17 inches. Therefore, the study suggested that less often the laptops are placed on the laps the more the health and safety of the users are guaranteed.