What safety concern is primarily associated with a dropped CRT?

The primary safety concern associated with a dropped Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is the risk of implosion causing injury. CRTs are designed to operate under high vacuum conditions, meaning the air pressure inside the tube is significantly lower than the outside atmospheric pressure. When a CRT is dropped, it can break or shatter, leading to an implosion. This rapid inward collapse sends sharp glass fragments outward at high velocities, posing a serious risk of injury to anyone nearby.

In contrast, while there are concerns about electrical shock if the device is still connected to power or charged, it's the physical danger of shattering glass from an imploding CRT that is most critical when the device is dropped. The risk of explosion is not relevant in this context, as CRTs are not designed to explode in the way other devices might. The focus on implosion highlights the unique structural stresses within CRT technology and emphasizes proper handling and disposal to mitigate injury risks.