Smashed CRT - How unhealthy

[Slowness]

Some years ago a CRT of mine stopped working. Burned out, I believe.

I let it power down for a while (I think maybe 24 hours) and then I opened it up and looked around. Some things looked a little dangerous on the board so I refrained from prodding it. But I was curious what the inside of the CRT tube was like so I smashed it. Bored of that, I threw it out after perhaps 2 hours.

Later on I found out that CRTs are considered toxic when dumped (and I could have been fatally shocked by the board, had I touched it.) I didn't really think of this because I thought the radiation it emitted would only be a problem when it was powered up.

I am wondering whether during this "examination" I exposed myself to any toxic emissions that may increase my chance of cancer. Anyone know if breaking the tube is a major health concern?

(PS. You don't need to tell me not to do this again. Yes I know it was stupid. But I was not aware at the time how much of a health risk it might be.)

[Fred Forsythe]

You might try posting this to sci.electronics.repair, a very informed group on such matters.

I recall back in the mid '70's when I was studying electronics at a technical high school in central Ohio, we used to get all kinds of junk "donated" by well meaning individuals for us to "learn on". Tons of clapped out tv's, in particular. We would degas the crt's to release the vacuum by cutting off the glass nipple under the socket, then they would be sent to the school compactor. On one occasion, the instructor broke one open (after degassing, pretty dangerous otherwise) to show us what was inside. He probably did this for each class. All I can say is that was 30 years ago & I'm still around... :D

Fred

[saphalline]

CRT's are not inherently dangerous because of radioactive emissions per se. They do use some pretty intense electromagnetic fields coupled with 1 or 3 electron guns and some phosphors that you shouldn't put in your mouth, but they are not radioactively dangerous to humans. Not once they're turned off anyway! :p Not touching the circuit board was a good idea, though! :D Lots of kinetic potential can be stored in the circuitry of a CRT, and people have been known to die from exploded or shocking tubes (although it's extremely rare).

The other thing you have to realize is that CRT construction has not remained stagnant all these years. A tube from a 1950's TV cabinet is going to look vastly different from a modern PC monitor. Checking out that news group that Fred Forsythe mentioned would be a good idea if you're curious about the particulars as I only know the very basics, but the important thing is that you now know not to do that again!

[PrntRhd]

The radiation (primarily XRay) is only generated when the electron gun is firing. The large quantities of lead used for shielding and such is the big reason CRTs are not allowed into landfills. Some of the chemicals in the capacitors in years past were also toxic.

[Slowness]

It sounds like although I broke the CRT (without degassing) it did not necessarily put my health in very serious danger?

[mjc]

Short answer...NO. (Of course that is disregarding the fact that the capcitors can hold a charge, that could turn you extra-crispy, for weeks or longer)

Your health was in more danger from the broken glass than anything else.

The toxicity, or at least part of it, that you have heard about is from the fact that the glass used to make the tube is 24% lead crystal or better...(the stuff Waterford uses to make very $$$$ glassware) and the chance of the lead leaching out...coupled with the fact that there are numerous other metals/chemicals tied up in the various components, that in a free state they could be considered toxic

[Slowness]

I'm glad to hear it's not something to pull my hair out about. Believe me I will be leaving CRTs of any nature entirely unpoked-at from now on.