Accident with opening of my old CRT monitor :(

xnikolanx

Reputable
Aug 24, 2015
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4,515
I opened my old CRT, just from curiosity. In CRT monitors there is a big lamp inside. I broke the lamp. What a gas there is inside? Is it toxic or radioactive? Later I read notice inside "do not open , blah blah, radioactive" I felt a gas with bad smell from the broken lamp. Do you know, what exactly is this gas?
 
Solution
Phosphorus is the chemical. It is the main component of the phosphor coating. It would be released as a powder. Most would stay adhered to the glass. I was told to use caution (hold your breath) around neon tubes that broke, and I would guess that extends to CRT's as well. It is the powder applied as a slurry in neon tubes. It is applied as dots in the CRT, I don't know the method or how they did that. I have no anecdotes of anyone being harmed, I was advised to use caution (goggles, gloves, hold your breath).

Almost all the hardware was plated with Cadmium, at the time no one paid any attention to it. Same with PCB transformer oil.

More: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=759704&seqNum=2 ,

Flying Head

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Apr 14, 2013
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10,710
The tube has a vacuum. Air rushes in when it is broken. It can be explosive with glass flying.

Safety regulations required manufacturers to put X-Ray warnings on. There will be some emitted when the electrons from the small neck collide with the phosphor on the screen. It happens above a specific high voltage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathode_ray_tube

What you smell is phosphorus, same as when a long neon tube is broken. It is quite a aggressive chemical, and you don't want to breath it. Usually no harm, but if you later have any breathing problems you may want to see a doctor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphor
 

Flying Head

Honorable
Apr 14, 2013
123
0
10,710
Phosphorus is the chemical. It is the main component of the phosphor coating. It would be released as a powder. Most would stay adhered to the glass. I was told to use caution (hold your breath) around neon tubes that broke, and I would guess that extends to CRT's as well. It is the powder applied as a slurry in neon tubes. It is applied as dots in the CRT, I don't know the method or how they did that. I have no anecdotes of anyone being harmed, I was advised to use caution (goggles, gloves, hold your breath).

Almost all the hardware was plated with Cadmium, at the time no one paid any attention to it. Same with PCB transformer oil.

More: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=759704&seqNum=2 ,
 
Solution