Re: X rays, high altitude, and floppy disks

["George Andrews" <mauser2@erols.com>]

Paul,
    I would, as Roy Parker already stated, suspect the issue is magnetic
fields. The transformers in the power supply for the x-ray tube high
voltage, electric motors or other sources of magnetic fields. The only way
to resolve the problem is to review handling in transit and keep the
magnetic media a reasonable distance from any devices which are capable of
generating magnetic fields. I don't think it is possible for the x-rays to
damage data stored on the disks. One other remote possibility to rule out is
a bad lot of floppies.

George Andrews, RRPT
mauser2@erols.com
N1YAE  FN31

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul R. Steinmeyer" <prstein@gyral.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 2:46 PM
Subject: X rays, high altitude, and floppy disks


> Hello All;
>
> I recently got a question from a software distributor regarding
> radiation effects on the software they distribute overseas (out of the
> US).  Their observation is that approximately 1 in 5 floppy diskettes
> are damaged while being shipped overseas; this problem does not occur in
> domestic shipments.  They assumed that the damage is caused by x rays
> used by customs inspection.  The damage is usually on the diskettes
> closest to the exterior of the package, and they say that wrapping their
> disks in aluminum foil eliminates the problem.
>
> Based on threads regarding radiation at high altitudes, my guess is that
> the long flight at high altitude might be a more likely culprit.
>
> Can anyone confirm of correct me?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Paul R. Steinmeyer
> Radiation Safety Associates, Inc.
> RSA Laboratories, Inc.
> mailto:prstein@radpro.com
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