Radiation levels from computer monitor screens within Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

Investigation of possible presence of soft X-ray levels from Computer Screens at distances of 0.5m and 1.0m was carried out within Benue State University, Makurdi, using ten different monitor models. Radiation measurement was carried out using a portable digital radiation meter, INSPECTOR 06250 (SE international Inc. Summer Town, USA) which is optimized to measure alpha, beta, X-rays and gamma radiation. On the basis of 8 working hours a day for 6 days a week, results obtained in count per minute (CPM) were converted to dose equivalent rate in mSv/week using a calibration factor of the meter. The average radiation levels from the screen was (1.92 ± 0.41) 10-3mSv/week and (6.86± 0.37) 10-4mSv/week at the distance of 0.5m and 1.0m respectively. These results show that computer operators using these models were working within recommended safety radiation limits of 0.02mSv/week as prescribed by the international commission on radiological protection.

Keywords: radiation monitoring, computer monitors

Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 17, 2005: 46-49