Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Godwin Ko on 22/01/2009 09:30:02

Title: Does peeling stickers emit x-rays?
Post by: Godwin Ko on 22/01/2009 09:30:02

Godwin Ko  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris

I am an occasional listener.

I have a question: you know how Scotch/sticky tape emits X-rays, do normal stickers (i.e. labels) also emit X-rays? I work peeling many stickers each day and am somewhat concerned for my safety.

Thanks.

Regards,

Godwin

What do you think?

Title: Does peeling stickers emit x-rays?
Post by: lyner on 22/01/2009 10:03:53

If you get high enough voltage sparks then you get X rays (it's all to do with 'electron volts').
You can get many thousands of volts of 'static' when combing hair, walking on carpets and, I imagine, from peeling tape and stickers, sometimes (depending on how well the tape and adhesive insulate). This is easily enough to produce X rays.
The actual dose involved is too tiny to bother you.

Title: Does peeling stickers emit x-rays?
Post by: BenV on 22/01/2009 12:03:00

Sticky tape only emitted a measurable amount of x-rays when it was unrolled in a vacuum, the presence of air slowing the moving charges enough to release their energy as visible light.  So unless you're unpeeling your stickers in a vacuum, I wouldn't worry!

Title: Does peeling stickers emit x-rays?
Post by: lyner on 22/01/2009 12:25:29

Mean free path strikes again.