With computers becoming so widely available to people around the world we hear more and more that it isn't good to use them for long periods of time because of the bad effect they have on our health. Some of the effects tend to be more obvious than others like that fact that after a while you start using glasses. Other effects however aren't so obvious since they are of a more psychological nature.

The number of toxins contained in a monitor can be rather uncomfortable since there can be so many found in our homes. So let's take a closer look at just what toxins a monitor contains:

1. Ever wandered why the thing is so heavy? Well that is because besides that heavy glass tube it also contains led. A monitor can contain somewhere between 4 and 8 lbs (that's between 1.8 and 3.6 kg). The led is found on the glass tube. When the monitor is disposed off with regular waste the structural integrity of it gets compromised ending up with the release of lead ions in the environment. These can cause nervous, brain and kidney damage as well as blood disorders.

2. Another known toxin which may be found inside a monitor comes in the form of phosphors. These are encased within the glass envelope.

Although phosphors are a dietary requirement too much of it can cause osteoporosis and kidney damage.

3. Plastics & PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) make for the casing of the monitor and the cabling. It has been proven that these can cause cancer.

4. Barium is used in the front of the front panel of the monitor to protect computer users from radiation. No known long term effects are known from chronic exposure to this toxin however there is known of short term effects to the brain, heart, liver, muscle and spleen.

5. Mercury is found as well in the light of flat panels display. When exposed to high amounts of mercury kidney and brain damage can appear or even central nervous system damage based on the type of exposure.

6. Beryllium is used for thermal connectivity and is found on the connectors. This toxin causes skin diseases and was recently discovered to cause cancer.

7. Cadmium, another toxin, is used as a plastic stabilizer. Causes kidney and bone structure damage as well as cancer.

8. Brominated flame retardants are used in the plastic casings.

9. Hexavalent chromium is used to protect steel plates from corrosion. This toxin can cause damage to the DNA.

Basically these are the major toxins found in your computer monitor and each of them tends to have major health impacts on people as well as plants and animals. When these are incinerated or disposed with regular waste in landfills the toxins in the monitors leak out into the environment eventually finding their way into our bodies as well as those of animal and in plants. As long as the monitor stays in one piece you are well protected from the dangers these possess.

E-waste is one of the fastest growing danger to the environment and to us of course. In recent years steps to reduce e-waste have been made with the creation of centers that either recycle or disassemble monitors and other electronic devices.