Can Laptops Cause Cancer?

With more people becoming aware of EMF radiation, one of the concerns of many is the question of whether laptops can cause cancer. Learn more about how laptops work, and the dangers they may present.

Laptops and EMF Radiation

According to statistics, laptops can emit an EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation level of up to 150mG (milliGauss). Yet, this is a non-ionizing and low frequency radiation, which means it is not a serious threat. For those sensitive to EMF radiation, there may be concerns with eye pain and headaches.

One of the things to keep in mind is proximity. It’s called a laptop for a reason. So many people do just that – have it in their lap. It’s never good to keep any device that close to you for extended periods of time, no matter how small the overall risk.

Do Laptops Cause Cancer?

Depending on where you look, that answer depends. Some claim there is no correlation between cancer and laptop use. Yet, according to Swiss researchers, Drs. Andreas Arnold and Peter Itin from University Hospital Basel, they found that a hot laptop could lead to skin damage on your lap, and that might even develop into skin cancer.

The claim was supported by dermatologist Anthony J. Mancini, who said that prolonged skin inflammation can potentially increase the chances of squamous cell skin cancer, which is more aggressive than the more common form of skin cancer.

Since people hold laptops close to their reproductive organs, it can possibly cause testicular and ovarian cancers.

What You Can Do

Whether it is true or not that laptops cause cancer depends on who you ask. But why take the chance? If you have even the smallest chance of getting a type of cancer from a laptop, don’t keep it on your lap. Use a stand or desk to work with your laptop, and don’t use it for extended periods of time. We realize that many people work with a laptop, so it’s necessary to use it often. In this case, try to keep a normal distance, and don’t keep it right in your lap. You may not defer all risks, but those are a few tips that help.