Radiation Emitted From Plasma Vs. LCD

Flat Screen TV

Plasma and LCDs are flat screen televisions that emit radiation. With the increasing knowledge about the harmful effects of radiation, such as spontaneous mutation of the DNA, it is important to understand the form and level of radiation associated with each device.

Ultraviolet Radiation

The radiation emitted from the plasma television is ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet radiation wavelengths are approximately 40 to 400 nanometers. The ultraviolet radiation emitted from the plasma television, however, remains contained within the pixels and is therefore not harmful to the observer.

Infrared Radiation

The type of radiation emitted from an LCD television is infrared radiation. The wavelengths are approximately one meter to one centimeter long. The infrared radiation has a low frequency and is not harmful to the observer.

Comparison

The plasma television is associated with a higher frequency radiation than the LCD television. However, since the ultraviolet radiation does not penetrate the exterior of the screen, both the plasma and the LCD televisions are safe and do not emit a large amount of radiation.

References

• FDA: We Want You to Know About Television Radiation
• Health Physics Society: Ultraviolet Radiation
• LCD TV Buying Guide: LCD Monitors Vs. CRT Monitors
• Crutchfield: How an LCD TV Works