“No Harmful Radiation” From TV Sets In N.Z.

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31501, 16 October 1967, Page 18

“No Harmful Radiation” From TV Sets In N.Z.

“No harmful radiation has been detected from television sets in New Zealand, although we have made many measurements,” said the acting director of the National Radiation Laboratory (Mr H. J. Yeabsley). He said he had heard of some trouble with colour television sets in the United States, caused by certain components. Mr Yeabsley had been asked to comment on a Washington message which said that the United States Congress was told this week that children watching television at close range might be receiving enough radiation to cause premature development of eye cataracts. Whether such a danger existed was not known, Dr Edward Sheldon, a New York radiologist, told a House of Representatives commerce sub-committee. Any harm to this “scientific no-man's

land would not be apparent for 20 or 30 years after exposure, he said. The sub-committee is considering a bill that would direct the Department of Health, Education and Weiware to set and enforce standards governing emission of radiation from electronic products. The proposed legislation was prompted by the disclosure that certain General Electric colour television sets were emitting excessive X-rays. Most have since been tracked down and corrected Dr Sheldon said shielding should be thickened on television sets to reduce the possibility of an epidemic of cataracts in later years. Cataracts were a result of the ageing process, and X-rays hastened this process. USB the Advertisements In The Press” to plan vour buy Ing 1 hey will save you many hours ol Shopping Time