Damage to electronic media by magnetic fields

Re: CDs and photocopying

Since a few people have expressed interest in knowing what the
responses were to my query about CDs and potential damage done by
exposing them to magnetic fields here is a summary of the responses:
CDs are not magnetic media (the data is stored in pits that are
inscribed in the disk) and thus are not prone to harm from a
magnetic field.  If any harm is done by photocopying a CD case with
the CD inside it would be the result of *prolonged*  or *repeated*
exposure to the copier's intense light; the light would burn away
the protective coating over the bits. So, copying the case once or
twice will not harm the CD. Thanks to all who sent responses.

Sonya Koros
Dept of Library Science
SLIS
University of Pittsburgh

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:39
                 Distributed: Sunday, November 5, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-9-39-003
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