MAGNETIC-FIELDS OF VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME

The magnetic fields emitted by video display terminals (VDTs) and thei r potential association with pregnancy outcome are discussed. The majo rity of the epidemiologic studies suggest that VDT work is not related to adverse pregnancy outcome. The exposure to magnetic fields from mo dern VDTs is usually even lower than that from other sources in the of fice environment, such as printers and photocopying machines. There ar e, however, some indications of an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome among women exposed to high levels of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields of VDTs or electric appliances at home. Because the p resent evidence is not sufficient to allow the drawing of final conclu sions, it would be important to examine the effects of exposure to hig her fields existing at industrial work places.