Radiation-Emitting Products
Televisions and Video Display Monitors
- Description
- Risks/Benefits
- Advice to Users
- Laws, Regulations & Performance Standards
- Industry Guidance
- Other Resources
Description
Video display products that contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs) can give off x-rays. The CRT is a specialized vacuum tube that receives and displays images on an electronic screen. Most modern computers monitors and televisions (TVs), with the exception of liquid crystal display (LCD) and plasma screen TVs, use CRTs.
In the early 1960s, some TVs with CRTs were found to emit excessive x-radiation, and a federal performance standard was created to protect the public from this hazard. Today, electronic technology for TVs and computer monitors with CRTs has changed so drastically that the level of risk of x-ray exposure is almost non-existent. Manufacturers of products that use CRTs must certify that their products comply with the federal performance standard for the life of the product.
Risks/Benefits
TV receivers and computer monitors containing CRTs no longer pose a risk of emitting excessive x-radiation. Since the creation of the federal performance standard, the FDA has tested hundreds of TV receivers and computer monitors and rarely encountered any that were unsafe.
Advice to Users
- We Want You to Know About Television Radiation (July 14, 2006)
Laws, Regulations & Performance Standards
Manufacturers of electronic radiation emitting products sold in the United States are responsible for compliance with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), Chapter V, Subchapter C - Electronic Product Radiation Control.
Manufacturers of televisions and video display products are responsible for compliance with all applicable requirements of Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (Subchapter J, Radiological Health) Parts 1000 through 1005:
1003 - Notification of defects or failure to comply
1004 - Repurchase, repairs, or replacement of electronic products
In addition, TV receivers and monitors with CRTs must comply with radiation safety performance standards in Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (Subchapter J, Radiological Health) Parts 1010 and 1020:
1010 – Performance standards for electronic products: general
Industry Guidance
- Exemption from Certain Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Television Receivers and Computer Monitors with Cathode Ray Tubes (October 20, 2006)
- Reporting and Compliance Guide for Television Products [PDF] ( October 1995)
- Changes to TV Annual Report Guide Regarding Radiation Safety ( May 1997)
- Exclusion from Radiation Standard for Camcorder Viewfinders (May 1997)
- Procedures for Laboratory Compliance Testing of Television Receivers Procedures ( PDF) (May 1986)
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Date of Manufacture Label on Radiation-Emitting Consumer Electronics (May 1997)
Other Resources
- Device Advice: Does the Product Emit Radiation? (July 28, 2006)
- Frequently Asked Questions for Manufacturers of Electronic Products that Emit Radiation (April 25, 2006)
- Regulated Industry: Reports and Recordkeeping
- FDA eSubmitter
- Regulated Industry: Imports & Exports