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Televisions and Video Display Monitors


Description

Today, modern computers displays and televisions (TVs) today use liquid crystal display (LCD), Light-emitting diodes (LED), plasma, or other technologies that do not contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs).

A CRT is a specialized vacuum tube that can be used to receive and display images on an electronic screen. 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. In the years that followed, the electronic technology for TVs and computer monitors with CRTs changed so drastically that the level of risk of x-ray exposure became almost non-existent. Manufacturers of products that still use CRTs must certify that their products comply with the federal performance standard for the life of the product.

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Benefits - Risks

Modern TV receivers and computer monitors provide a benefit for entertainment and information display in many settings. TV receivers and computer monitors containing CRTs no longer pose a risk of emitting any 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. Most modern computer monitors and televisions (TVs) today use liquid crystal display (LCD), Light-emitting diodes (LED), or plasma and do not contain CRTs or emit x-radiation.

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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 (FD&C) Act, 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:

1000 - General

1002 - Records and Reports

1003 - Notification of defects or failure to comply

1004 - Repurchase, repairs, or replacement of electronic products

1005 - Importation 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

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Required Reports for the Televisions and Video Display Monitors Manufacturers or Industry

Industry Guidance - Documents of Interest

Other Resources

 
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