How Do You Get Television X?

We are constantly exposed to both natural and man-made radiation. Natural radiation, like background radiation from the earth and cosmic rays, is unavoidable. Man-made radiation, however, comes from electronic products like x-ray machines, televisions, microwave ovens, and lasers, and can be controlled. While some electronic products intentionally emit radiation for beneficial purposes, like x-ray machines, others, like older televisions, emit radiation unintentionally.

Many older televisions used cathode ray tubes (CRTs). These CRTs operate at high voltages, accelerating electrons that can potentially produce x-rays when they strike an obstacle within the vacuum tube. These x-rays can sometimes escape the television, posing a potential hazard. This unintentional x-radiation emission is why regulations were put in place to control it.

Although scientists haven’t linked specific health problems to prolonged exposure to very low levels of radiation, the current understanding is that there’s no safe threshold for x-ray exposure. Therefore, minimizing x-radiation from televisions and other electronic devices is crucial. This principle led to the enactment of the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968, now part of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It’s important to understand that most televisions don’t emit measurable radiation levels, and there’s no evidence linking television radiation to human injury.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for enforcing the electronic product radiation control program. The FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health sets and enforces performance standards to ensure radiation emissions from electronic devices remain within safe limits. In 1969, a federal standard was established, limiting x-ray emissions from televisions to 0.5 milliroentgens per hour (mR/hr). This standard applies to all televisions manufactured after January 15, 1970. The standard ensures that even under strenuous testing conditions, exceeding normal use, televisions don’t emit hazardous levels of x-radiation.

To ensure compliance, television manufacturers must certify that their products meet the performance standard outlined in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1020.10. They must submit reports to the FDA detailing their quality control and testing procedures, along with their television’s radiation safety design. They also maintain records of test data and submit annual reports summarizing these records to the FDA. The FDA has the authority to request radiation safety data, including x-ray leakage test results, to verify compliance. Imported televisions not meeting the standard are barred from entry into the United States.

Modern televisions, particularly flat-panel TVs using Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) or Plasma displays, don’t emit x-radiation. These technologies eliminate the risk associated with CRTs and are not subject to the FDA standard. Consequently, the x-radiation emissions from properly functioning CRT televisions and computer monitors are well-controlled, posing no public health risk. The FDA standard, coupled with advancements in technology like electronic safety circuits and regulated power supplies, has effectively mitigated the risk of x-radiation from these products.