Mobile Phones, Radiofrequency Exposure And The Development Of Cognitive Function In Primary School Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,477.00
Summary
Increasingly widespread exposure to radiofrequency fields from mobile telephones has raised concern about potential adverse health effects. The WHO has called for further research in children. We will conduct a 3 year study of 600 primary school students focussing on their exposure to mobile phones and cognitive development. If there are no significant effects, the community can be reassured. However if effects are demonstrated, we would need to restrict the use of mobile phones by children.
Biomechanical And Physiological Responses Of Children And Young Adults To Different Computer Workstations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,352.00
Summary
Computer use is increasing with 95% of Australian primary school children now using computers. Two out of three children and three out of four adult workers report pain associated with computer use. This has lead to concerns that increased computer use may be responsible for an increase in musculoskeletal disorders in young people. Little is known about the physical consequences of children's use of computers. The information we have on adult use is now out of date because of changes to computer ....Computer use is increasing with 95% of Australian primary school children now using computers. Two out of three children and three out of four adult workers report pain associated with computer use. This has lead to concerns that increased computer use may be responsible for an increase in musculoskeletal disorders in young people. Little is known about the physical consequences of children's use of computers. The information we have on adult use is now out of date because of changes to computer technology and how computers are used. It is therefore not possible to provide evidence-based recommendations for safe use of computers by young people. Critical gaps in our knowledge include the appropriate desk design and computer display position. The proposed studies will use recent advances in biomechanical and physiological measurement and modelling of musculoskeletal stress to evaluate a range of desk designs and computer display positions for young adults, preadolescentchilden and early school age children. The outcomes will include the first detailed description of the physical stresses of computer use by children and preliminary guidelines for workstation design.Read moreRead less