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this post was submitted on 23 Dec 2024
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Sounds like CRTs do produce some radiation but the amount it produces is marginal. Modern CRTs should have leaded glass which should substantially reduce the amount of X-rays you would receive.
https://oer.unimed.edu.ng/OTHER%20OER%20VARIETIES/5/1/Ife-Adediran-O-O-Arogunjo-A-M--EXPOSURE-RATE-ASSESSMENT-FROM-SELECTED-CATHODE-RAY-TUBE-DEVICES.pdf
The above article says 0.3 microS/hour which is less than one tenth of the radiation you get from an hour of flight, or about 10 hours of sun exposure.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight-time_equivalent_dose#Radiological_exposures_and_limits
So it looks like you will get radiation exposure from CRTs but it is not much higher than background radiation. Bring sedentary for hours in front of a CRT TV is probably worse for you than the radiation you would get from the CRT.
Now consider your typical 40 hour week, for 52 weeks, for several decades. It is higher than background radiation, objectively so. You get 10 hours of sun exposure, you risk sunburn and higher skin cancer rates as it adds up. There have to be dose limits for pilots, 100 hours of flight time per 28 days. For people who were stuck in front of a CRT display, most of the radiation was also focused on their eyes. You got the numbers, now actually think about them.
Sure, but I doubt very many people will get occupational exposure to CRTs these days. The days there might be a tiny CRT on an old oscilloscope, and some retro gaming/computing enthusiasts might have an old CRT but for most people it's likely not a concern.
I see your point that it was more of a concern in the past though.