What's New?
.	June Journal
.	Nominations for National Student Science Awards
.	Thomadsen Chair of ACMUI
.	New Member Welcome Packet
.	Homeland Security News
.	May Newsletter
.	Maher Appointed to NAS Committee
.	NRC Comment Period on Rulemaking
.	Online Registration for Annual Meeting
.	Radiation Research Society Meeting

Upcoming Events
.	NRC Meeting Webcasts - Live Ongoing
.	Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA) Annual Conference 26-30 May 2013 Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
.	58th Annual HPS Meeting 7-11 July 2013 Madison, WI
.	RITN Workshop Mitigation and Treatment of Radiation Damage 31 Jul - 2 Aug 2012 Baltimore MD
.	Radiation Research Society Meeting 15-19 Sept 2013 New Orleans, LA
.	2013 International Radon Symposium 22-25 Sept 2013 Springfield, IL

21 May 2013

Answer to Question #4395 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Pregnancy and Radiation — Power lines, magnets, computers, airport screening, cell phones

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I'm about seven weeks pregnant and I'm really concerned about using a laptop. Sometimes I keep it on my knees and I do not know if it's safe for my baby. I have read a lot about monitors, but I cannot find anything about laptop as a whole device.

There really should be no radiation issues associated with you using your laptop or any computer during your pregnancy assuming you have your laptop sitting on your lap (your thighs) and not your abdomen. Laptops do emit a fair amount of heat so not putting them on your abdomen is prudent. Since consumer protection laws have been passed limiting the amounts and types of radiation emissions from these devices (such as electromagnetic or ionizing (x rays) radiation), they can safely be used during pregnancy.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist

Answer posted on 1 April 2005. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.