HadTown USA
Television  and  Computer  Screens


Televisions and computers are used daily to bring us news from around
the world, show us images from the deep ocean to outer space, help us
do our holiday shopping, and provide entertainment. Whether at home,
school or in the office, many people spend hours at a time staring at
these screens. What they might not know is, depending on the type of
television or computer screen, they may be getting exposed to low
levels of x-ray radiation.

When you think of x-rays, you probably think of dental or medical
x-rays. While the concept is the same, the x-rays that come from
computer screens and televisions are at much lower levels and are not
produced on purpose.

Like microwaves, radio waves and visible light, the x-rays produced by an x-ray machine are a form of
electromagnetic radiation. Unlike microwaves, radio waves, and visible light, x-rays are a form of ionizing
radiation, which is capable of removing electrons from atoms and damaging living cells and the DNA of those
cells. It should be emphasized that there is no evidence that radiation from televisions or computers has
resulted in human injury.

Some television sets and computer screens contain a cathode ray tube (CRT), which bounces electrons off the
screen to create an image. The interaction between the electrons and the screen can potentially create low-
level x-rays. CRT displays using vacuum tube high voltage rectifiers or regulators also generate x-rays.
Because flat screen televisions and computer screens do not use CRTs, they do not produce x-rays.

Scientists work from the premise that no amount of radiation is safe. Even though most TV sets and computer
screens have not been found to give off any measurable level of radiation, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health carefully sets radiation emission standards for
electronic products with CRT tubes.

Who is  protecting you

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the responsibility for carrying out an electronic product
radiation control program, mandated by the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions of the Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act. Through its Center for Devices and Radiological Health, FDA sets and enforces
standards of performance  for electronic products to ensure that radiation emissions do not pose a hazard to
public health.

Manufacturers of television receivers and computer monitors containing CRTs must regularly certify that their
products meet certain performance standards. All TV manufacturers must submit written radiation safety
reports to FDA outlining how they assure that each unit coming off the assembly line complies with the
federal x-ray radiation limit. These reports contain a description of the manufacturer's quality control and
testing program and the television's radiation safety design.  Manufacturers also must maintain records of test
United States Environmental Protection Agency  |   Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J)
                                                                    EPA 402-F-07-048
                                                                                     June 2008
                                                                  www.epa.gov/radtown/tv-computer.html

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 RadTown  USA
data and prepare an annual report to FDA summarizing these records. The FDA has the authority to ask for
radiation safety data including results of x-ray leakage tests from selected sets to determine compliance with
the standard.

Television receivers imported into the United States that do not meet the standard are not allowed into the
country and are exported or destroyed. Importers, however, may petition FDA for permission to correct the
violations.
What you can do to protect yourself
There is no evidence that radiation from televisions or computers has resulted in human injury. The radiation
safety standards for TVs, computers and other consumer products set and enforced by FDA also work to keep
you safe. Keep in mind that television and computer screens have not been found to give off any measurable
level of radiation.

There are two simple steps you can take if you are concerned about being exposed to radiation from television
or computer screens.

 •     Time: Limit the time spent around your TV or computer screen;
       Distance: Increase the distance between you and the radiation source. FDA advises sitting a distance
       of at least two to three feet from the screen to limit exposure.


Resources

You can explore this radiation source further through the resources at the following URL:
http://www.epa.gov/radtown/tv computer.html#resources

We link to these resources to maintain up-to-date information
United States Environmental Protection Agency  |   Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J)
  EPA 402-F-07-048  |   June 2008
www.epa.gov/radtown/tv-computer.html

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