Final answer:
The best method to clean radiographic intensifying screens is to gently use a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with a specialized cleaning solution, taking care not to reuse the same area of the cloth to avoid scratching the screens. The radiation exposure on screens is indicated by a chemical change in the film emulsion, which is darkened by exposure. Historical and modern contexts of film exposure to radiation include the detection of radiation through photographic plates and the potential X-ray generation in CRT televisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best option for cleaning radiographic intensifying screens is to use a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with a mild cleaning solution specifically designed for radiographic screens. These screens are delicate and can be easily scratched or damaged, so it is important to handle them with care during the cleaning process. The cloth should be moved across the screen in a gentle, sweeping motion and repeated use of the same side of the cloth should be avoided to prevent debris and dust collected on the cloth from scratching the screen surface. Signs of radiation exposure, such as darkening of film, are related to the amount of exposure and also the type of radiation.
It is interesting to note that phenomena related to radiation detection, like the darkening of photographic film used in medical and dental X-rays, depend on the interaction between radiation and the film emulsion. The chemical change in the film emulsion signifies that the film has been exposed to radiation, a key mechanism that has been historically vital for radiation detection as seen in the direct detection of radiation by Becquerel's fogged photographic plate. Today, we also understand that modern devices like CRT television tubes, which use a high-voltage potential to accelerate electrons towards a screen, can potentially generate X-rays in the process.