“I never thought placing my laptop on my lap would cause harm,” says Balarabe Alkassim, a journalist. He went on, “Incidentally my laptop was on my lap when I saw the message you sent to me.
“As long as I can remember. I always put my laptop on my lap when I am lying down to work or watching a movie. I find it more convenient when I am home.”
Like countless others, Alkassim enjoys the convenience of working from the comfort of his couch with his laptop perched on his legs. However, his prolonged habit could lead to an unexpected result – excess heat and a noticeable rise in body temperature.
Another laptop user, a writer and online newspaper publisher, Moses Okorie, admits to spending hours each day working with his laptop on his lap for nearly ten years now. “I am aware that putting a laptop on my lap is not healthy for people, especially men, as the heat it generates goes directly into the human system. I can only keep my laptop on my lap in the absence of a desk. I can also do it in an emergency,” he said.
But for Bode Gbadebo, an editor at Leadership Newspaper Group, being aware of the health risks associated with the practice, he chooses to use tablets rather than laptops to make it easier to operate the device without placing it on his body.
“Yes,” he replied when asked if he was aware of the risks associated with placing laptops on the body while working. ”Because such devices emit heat, with prolonged exposure to such, there are implications for one’s skin. Then, there is the risk of radiation.
“Again, placing a laptop lower on your thigh will force you to hunch over the laptop, disrupting your natural posture. This can result in back pain, as well as strain on the shoulders and neck. I use tabs. I don’t use a laptop. I hardly place my tab on my thigh while working,” said Gbadebo.
Abiemwense Moru, a senior editor with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), shares the same view with Gbadebo. “I avoid placing my laptop on my thighs since I am aware of its negative health effects. I also warn my daughter against doing the same. So, we try to avoid using computers when sitting down and, if necessary, place a pillow beneath the laptop,” she told African Health Report (AHR).
Some users, like a final year student at the University of Abuja, Kadijat Mohammed, have already experienced negative effects. “I used to sit with my laptop on my lap all the time, but I developed a rash on my legs. When I went to the hospital, it turned out to be a heat rash caused by the laptop,” she explained to AHR.
Infertility, Skin Cancer, Other Dangers Associated With Placing Laptops on The Body While Working
Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, a renowned reproductive health and toxic environmental expert who spoke with Africa Health Report (AHR), highlights dangers of placing a laptop on the body when it is up and running. He said this could lead to a condition called Toasted Skin Syndrome where ”prolonged exposure to the laptop’s heat causes skin discoloration, rashes, and in extreme cases, even skin cancer. The heavy metals can cause skin irritation,” he added.
This is exclusive of general health related issues such as headaches, obesity, sleeping disorders, increased risks of blood clots and vision problems linked with prolonged use of the device.
Furthermore, according to Prof. Ashiru, it holds potential fertility hazards for men. “Because the laptop generates heat, such high temperatures do not support sperm production in the male. The laptop has heavy metals such as cobalt, as well as other components. Hence, such heavy metals get absorbed by the body. Especially when it is placed on the thigh, these heavy metals affect the normal hormonal balance in the body as well as get deposited in the testis and ovary. Hence, they can cause low sperm, and abnormal sperm, as well as problems with ovulation. Because of these, it can cause infertility,” he stated.
Prof. Ashiru also explains during the interview that the laptop on the lap causes the user to strain the neck, shoulders, and back, leading to posture-related complications and chronic pain. “The bending of the head forward on the lap can affect the shape of the spinal cord, thereby leading to abnormal posture,” the expert explained.
No Need to Discard Your Laptops, Here Are Ways to Use Them Safely
As with anything else, using computers is not a bad thing if used responsibly and as directed. To mitigate the potential risks, “Put a cushion on your laps before putting the laptop on them and sit upright. The mobile phones should be protected by using phone protection to cover the phone. By so doing, you prevent the leakage of the heavy metals,” Prof Ashiru advised.
Placing our laptops on our bodies while working may seem harmless, but as we’ve discovered, it can pose hidden dangers to our health. Various research findings and personal anecdotes demonstrate the need for awareness and conscious modification of this habit. By prioritising our well-being and implementing simple preventative measures, we can strike a balance between utilising technology and safeguarding our health.
So, the next time you reach for your laptop, think twice before resting it on your lap – your body thank you for it.
