Electricity and mental health

[eccentric_emma]

In a similar vein to LSP's smells and (mental health) thread........

Does anyone feel ill when they are around too many electrical appliances?

I used to use my Dads computer to write up essays when i was at college and being in his office made me feel so ill as it was small and very enclosed, with several computers, fax machine other office equipment and after using the office for a few hours, used to feel very tired and fluey. getting away from it helped though. or maybe i was just being 'allergic' to do doing my homework

[ina]

No, I think you have a good point there. Those appliances give off some gassy stuff (help! - any chemists out there that can tell me what it is?) - which is why instruction booklets generally say to place them in a well ventilated area. I think copiers and printers are the worst - something to do with the ink?

[Jack]

Gidday

Now this aint supposed to be a silly question, but do you wear atrificial clothing, especially your underwear.

There is a lot of electro magnetic stuff going on around some use of electricity and it would be amplified by the static electricity that can build up in nylon etc.

[Martin]

I know I'm quite poorly if I spend any time near photocopiers - I think they give off ozone and "particulates"
I know I wouldn't last an hour in most modern offices - the unbaffled fluorescents give you an instant headache, then you've got all the lovely photocopier fumes, usually mixed with leechates from the foams used in the furnishings and carpets, with a hefty lashing of synthetic fire-retardants
(just in case the first lot didn't get you!) - windows carefully sealed, you are then provided with over-dry "air" laden with the toxic substances used in the air conditioning to lessen the chance of legionella.............
I'm surprised anyone survives!
Then you've got all those useful "radio" devices - phones, internet routers, mobile 'phones pinging high energy radio waves about

[Wombat]

Ozone is the stuff alright and quite nasty it is, but I believe it is more of a problem with the older machines and the newer ones either produce less or not at all.

Nev

[Annpan]

Ever noticed getting headaches at school, I used to, just from all the flouresent lights.

Electrical appliances have been known to give kids (particullarly hormonal adolesants) nightmares, insomnia and headaches, due to the tiny amounts of radiation (?) given off. Alarm clocks are the biggest culprits as they tend to be right beside a childs head as they sleep.

Another possible contributer to ADHD? You be the judge.

[QuakerBear]

Ozone is three oxygen molecules joined together using double bonds (I think, trying to remember A-level chemistry). It is a toxic chemical and causes respiratory difficulties, which may include headaches. The solution is to get out and get some air into your lungs for a while. Don't know about mental health though.

[mrsflibble]

I have never been more depressed than when hubby and I lived in a tent. we had no electricity then. that wasnt the reason for the depression.

[the.fee.fairy]

I find that being at work makes me incredibly tired - i blame it on the flourescent lights, lack of movement and lack of fresh air...and the dodgy air conditioning/heating system.

Oh for a job in anice place!

[mrsflibble]

I remember the sense of relief I used to feel upon leaving my "cave" at work. I would spend all day processing digital pictures (they take some work to make them usable for press printing) in a cold (overdone aircon) dark hole of an office.

Mind you, it had some perks
1. I was the only person on the newsfloor apart from the editor who had their own office,
2. I had my own kettle, mugs and tea making facilities
3. I had a second hand cd player, radio and telly. it being a newsroom I was supposed to have the telly for "news" use... but my immediate boss let me watch neighbours so long as I worked at the same time...everyone on the newsdesk knew not to ask me for anything between 1:40 and 2:05pm unless it was a dire emergency.

I loved the privacy to get on with my work, and I adored what I did for a living but the company, some of the people and the money sucked.