When Technology Attacks: Gadgets Hate People?
Ever think technology was out to get you? These fears may not be just in your head.
A college student in China was reportedly killed this week when his own PC electrocuted him. He didn’t want his computer to overheat, so he removed the CPU case. When his sweaty leg touched internal wiring, he was fatally zapped.
Also in China, a welder died last month when his cell phone battery exploded. The blast may have been caused by an unsafe battery, by high heat or both.
Australian scientists revealed research this week that shows many standard laser printers can release toxic particles into the air that when breathed, “cause a range of health problems, from respiratory irritation to more chronic illnesses,” according to the BBC.
And, of course, the hottest game on the market, the Nintendo Wii, is responsible for a wide range of injuries. Its motion-controlled gaming has led to everything from repetitive strain injuries to accidental black eyes.
The article goes on to say that although when a laptop battery explodes or a washing machine burns down a house it becomes big news – the injuries related to technology are VERY small especially when you compare it the number of deaths in car accidents or even a simple slip and fall.
