Do flat panel screens give off more radiation than the old PC monitors?

Question

My wife thinks that flat panel monitors are not safe because the radiation comes out of the front, instead of the back in old monitors. Is that true? Are there any other safety issues?

Answer 1

Technically, the flat panels don't give out any dangerous radiation at all. However, the old ones can give out 2 radiations:
1. The old screen bombard a chemical coating on the screen with electrons, these are known as beta radiation and is the most dangerous radiation outside of the body, as it penetrates a lot and is quite highly ionising.
2. high energy electromagnetic radiation that comes from the coating (it's even in lightbulbs). Basically this is because the screen is coated with chemicals that are excited by the electron bombardment, but then relax and let out electromagnetic radiation.

Both of these are negligible, but there is none from a flat panel, as the chemicals are not bombarded, they are heated up to produce colours.

There ar eno other safety problems with flat panels, but if u're getting one, get an LCD, not plasma as they are subject to plasma burn. This is where an image is on screen too long (e.g. a footy score) and can etch its image into the screen permanantly (this only happens if said image is on screen for AGES)

Answer 2

I dread to think how many people spend their lives in front of LCD monitors 24/7 with no significant health damage and your wife just decides all of them are at risk. She obviously cares about you, and wants some attention, probably because you spend more time with your PC than you do with her, show the woman the affection she deserves, stop her having to resort to scare tactics, in order to avoid being a PC widow! I don't think you have to worry about radiation.

Answer 3

hey! i work at a used computer store and i deal with these things on a daily basis the best thing to remove ink is hair spray lcd's are as tender as your 18 month old's bottom, so do it this way, just to be safe: spray some hair spray on a tissue and wipe off the ink. as soon as you have done that clean the monitor's screen with vinegar and water (u can use alcohol too, but in my experience the vinegar does a better job and the screen lasts longer) and go to office max and get a screen protector once its cleaned off!

Answer 4

You didn't say what kind of radiation. A plasma or LCD could give off more visible light radiation if it is turned up brighter. Both do not give any significant dangerous radiation in the higher frequencies that could lead to health problems.

Answer 5

dont worry about it, worrying about nothing causes cancer