Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP 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