I love getting my eyes bombarded with the occasional ionization electron beam fired from the electron gun that make it past the phosphorescent screen.

I do not envy some of the ocular conditions some of the old long-time programmers in the industry had, although this is from personal experience. All CRTs generate Xrays, even if later on regulation would attempt to minimize the amount generated. and using them should still mean keeping your distance. The effects it has on your eyes are not instant, specially if you don't use them as part of your job.

A lot of the excessive warning from screens came from this era, where there was an actual risk. Unfortunately, there are planty of antivax-like CRT-radiation deniers, but fortunately, it's no longer a problem.

[–] UnrepentantAlgebra@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago (1 children)

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.

[–] TheObviousSolution@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] UnrepentantAlgebra@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

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.

[–] RxBrad@infosec.pub 4 points 2 days ago

Radiation builds character!

Kids these days....