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Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer)
Newsgroups: net.periphs
Subject: Re: diskettes and x-rays
Message-ID: <3538@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 10-Feb-84 17:39:51 EST
Article-I.D.: utzoo.3538
Posted: Fri Feb 10 17:39:51 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Feb-84 17:39:51 EST
References: <111@hsi.UUCP>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 18

Neither diskettes nor magtapes should be affected in any way by an
X-ray field.  But note that some airport metal detectors use magnetic
fields rather than X-rays.  This is definitely a consideration.  It
takes a pretty strong field to mangle magnetic media -- the stories
of magtapes being wiped by someone waving a toy magnet six feet from
them are myths -- but I don't know how strong the metal-detector
fields are.  Mmm, I suppose it is just possible, also, that an X-ray
machine would have magnetic fields running around in the vicinity.
There are electric currents inside, after all.

Wrapping them in aluminum foil doesn't seem likely to help.  The foil
is unlikely to stop either a determined X-ray machine or a determined
magnetic field, although it might cut down the intensity of stray
minor fields.  You might check with computer-supplies outfits; they
may well have shielded mailing boxes available.
-- 
				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!henry