Samsung Warns of 3-D TV Health Concerns
Electronics company says 3-D TV could cause fatigue, nausea, seizures in some.
April 19, 2010— -- The new 3-D TVs hitting the market this spring may be good for your imagination, but are they hazardous to your health?
Consumer electronics giant Samsung, which unveiled its 3-D TVs in March, recently issued guidelines on its Web site alerting viewers that watching the TVs could pose potential health risks.
The "warning" advises parents to monitor their children as they watch 3-D programming and cautions that it could trigger seizure or stroke in those with a family history of those conditions.
"We do not recommend watching 3-D if you are in bad physical condition, need sleep or have been drinking alcohol," it says, adding that consumers should not place 3-D TVs near open stairwells, cables or other objects that could injure disoriented viewers.
If viewers experience dizziness, nausea, loss of awareness, cramps or other symptoms, Samsung encourages them to stop watching the 3-D television and consult a medical specialist. According to some reports from earlier in the week, the warning released by Samsung also cautioned pregnant women and the elderly that they should "avoid utilizing the unit's 3D functionality."
The latest statement made no mention of pregnant women.
When asked about the apparent changes in wording, the company said it was reviewing the language and possible changes "because the current guidelines have caused unintended alarm."
In an e-mail Samsung said, "We've heard from consumers that they love the experience of watching 3-D content on Samsung TVs, however, we feel it would be prudent for Samsung as a responsible company to inform consumers of every aspect of 3-D TV, including potential side effects."
Doctors say the warnings shouldn't prevent people from watching 3-D movies or television programs, but add that exercising moderation is probably a good idea.
"What 3-D tries to do is fool the brain into thinking there's something there when it's not actually there," said Dr. Lisa Park, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at New York University's Langone Medical Center.
To trick the human brain, 3-D programs present two slightly different perspectives of the same object. When the brain processes the two images, it creates the perception of depth.
Related Stories
ABC News Live