IBM to Reduce Computer Terminal Radiation : Technology: A national women’s group applauds the action. It has been concerned that emissions from VDTs might cause birth defects.

International Business Machines Corp. confirmed Wednesday that it has cut radiation emissions in its newest large-computer terminals and will make similar changes in future personal computers.

There was no evidence that electromagnetic radiation from video display terminals was a health hazard, IBM said, but it took the step because of demand from customers, particularly in Europe.

The step was applauded by the organization 9 to 5, National Assn. of Working Women, which along with other groups has expressed concern that radiation from VDTs might contribute to birth defects.

Scientific evidence about the health risk of VDT radiation has been inconclusive. A federally funded study of 8,000 women office workers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York is aiming to resolve persistent questions.

Electromagnetic radiation is different from and generally less harmful than the ionizing radiation of X-rays.

Although IBM is often a pacesetter, other computer makers said they had no immediate plans to follow the lead of the world’s largest computer company.

“We haven’t seen a groundswell of demand for products that have lower emissions, and we haven’t seen any strong evidence that there’s a link between the use of VDTs and various health concerns,” said Nora Rice, a spokeswoman for Compaq Computer Corp. in Houston.

IBM found a way to cut radiation from display terminals and incorporated the technology into its InfoWindow displays for mainframe and mid-sized computers, which were introduced in September.

The company mentioned the radiation reduction in its European press materials but not in the U.S. press materials.

IBM plans to incorporate the technology into future personal computers as well, said Paul Snayd, manager of IBM’s VDT and Ergonomics Project Office. He said he could not say when those products might reach the market. Some analysts have predicted a new PC or workstation from IBM next year.

IBM will not retrofit existing computers because it believes that all are safe, Snayd said.

Customers in Sweden and Denmark began demanding lower-radiation displays after a 1986 conference in Sweden on the health effects of non-ionizing radiation, Snayd said. The demand later spread throughout much of Europe, he said.

“I would classify it in the U.S. as being an emerging customer requirement,” Snayd said.

He said the InfoWindow displays meet the Swedish standard.

Ellen Bravo, 9 to 5’s associate director, said she hoped other computer manufacturers would follow suit. IBM’s move was also praised by companies that offer products to protect against radiation.

“I think it’s been a long time coming and I am delighted,” said Michael Hiles, president and chief executive of NoRad Corp. in Santa Monica, which makes radiation shields for PCs.

Safe Computing Co. of Needham, Mass., offers a flat-panel screen that does not give off any electromagnetic radiation.

“No one knows what level of exposure is harmful. And when there’s zero-radiation technology available, that should be the obvious choice for people that are concerned about the radiation,” said Allen Nitschelm, the executive vice president.