Radiology, Vol 189, 583-585, Copyright © 1993 by Radiological Society of North America
Effects of ionizing radiation and magnetic fields on digital data stored on floppy disks
JE Gray and JP Taubel
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of x rays and magnetic fields on high-
density, 3.5-inch floppy disks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 1-Mbyte worksheet
file was stored on 20 recently purchased high-density floppy disks. Five
disks were stored as controls. Five other disks were then exposed to 70-kVp
and 6-MV x rays with exposures of 100-1,000 R (0.026- 0.26 C.kg-1). Ten
other disks were exposed to magnetic fields with a maximum strength of
1,000 G. Magnetic fields around an airport metal detector and x-ray unit
were measured. Another set of 10 disks was passed through the metal
detector 50 times and through the x-ray unit 12 times. RESULTS: Ionizing
radiation had no effect on the data stored on the disks. Magnetic fields
with a maximum strength of 500 G had no effect, but field strengths of
1,000 G completely erased the data. Neither the airport metal detector nor
the x-ray unit had any effect on the data. CONCLUSION: Airport metal
detectors and x-ray scanners have no effect on digital data stored on
floppy disks.
