A new LCD line manufactured by The Safe Computing Company, based in the Boston area, has gone to the trouble of shielding against the small amounts of ELF radiation produced by the power transformer and cable. IBM has just brought out a new generation of VDT's that are shielded for VLF radiation.

• Educate yourself on the health effects of computers. Get a copy of TERMINAL SHOCK, by Bob DeMatteo (NC Press, 1986), still the best overview on the subject.

The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety has been responsible for increased public awareness of computer hazards and operates a prompt and courteous information service. Their booklets including HEALTH HAZARDS OF RADIATION FROM VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS and ERGONOMICS FOR WORKPLACES WITH VDT'S are available free from CCOHS, 250 Main St East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 1H6. Toll free 1-800-263-8276 or Fax: 416-572-2206.

An excellent synopsis on the topic is THE HANDBOOK ON VDT HAZARDS, available for $8.00 U.S. prepaid from Natural Energy Works.

Dr. Feeley has written a quick and easy to use trouble shooting manual for health and eye problems entitled, THE VDT OPERATOR'S PROBLEM SOLVER. This is available for $12.95 from The Planetary Association for Clean Energy, 100 Bronson Ave, #10001, Ottawa, ON, K1R 6G8. 613-238-4437.

Every office should subscribe to VDT NEWS: The VDT Health and Safety Report. (PO Box 1799 Grand Central Stn, New York, NY, 10163. 212-517-2800) Edited by Dr. Louis Slesin, a pioneer in the field, this newsletter provides up-to-date info on all aspects of the health effects of VDT's, including the latest research.

VDT NEWS also publishes the ANNUAL VDT PRODUCT DIRECTORY (available for $17.00 Cdn from the same address). This is an indispensable guide to computer health and safety products and services. The listing of almost 200 companies includes low ELF monitors, vision aids, radiation meters and ergonomic accessories.

Dr. Slesin is also the editor of the meticulously researched MICROWAVE NEWS available from the same address. MICROWAVE NEWS documents the latest on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. MICROWAVE NEWS has just published the EMF RESOURCE DIRECTORY. This 80 page directory contains more than 400 listings of research organizations, citizen groups, lawyers, consultants, labour unions, electric utilities, and government agencies.

• Talk to your union about the recommended standards for work on VDTs.

For women interested in an illustrated practical guide to taking more control over their work environment, the book TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE, by Cohen and White, is highly recommended (available for $15.00 from Women And Work Research and Education Society, 4340 Carson St, Burnaby, BC, V5J 2X9. 604-430-0458. The excellent book, PLAYING WITH OUR HEALTH: HAZARDS IN THE AUTOMATED OFFICE is also available from the same address for $10.00. The same group has just published a booklet on repetitive strain injuries. It contains information on how to identify this type of injury, what to do next, your legal rights, and issues around workers' compensation claims.

• An annual eye exam should be required for all full-time VDT workers.

• Workers who develop wrist pain, back pain, neck or shoulder pain should be checked by their doctors right away and the design, work habits, lighting and glare of their workplace improved.

In Jan/93 the Ontario government brought in a rule requiring five minutes rest for every hour at the keyboard. According to Toronto Globe and Mail medical reporter Paul Taylor, repetitive strain injury (RPI) is difficult to diagnose and treat properly. The diagnosis involves a specialized form of electromyography to test each individual muscle. Taylor says the problem usually starts in the neck and upper back muscles. Treatments involves a combination of modalities including muscle re-education, massage, and acupuncture needles applied to trigger points. He found no clinic that provided a totally integrated approach. However, effective clinics are found in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and St. Paul's Minnesota. In addition, the Ford Motor Company in Philadelphia has set up a specialized clinic for RPI's.

If you develop a repetitive strain injury, I suggest a video which can help you retrain the way you use your muscles. The video is called, SELF HEALING BODY MOVEMENT, and is available from Lora Byxbe, Willow Productions, 677 West 23rd Ave, Eugene, OR 97401 for $30.00 US.