Rick,
This is going to be real brief because there is a heck of a lot
to this
There is a classification described as inherently eye safe. They are
class 1 lasers and hopefully that's what you scouts had. The FDA
controls the classifications, in the US and IEC 825 (I think that's the
number) is the guide for Europe. There are basically in a couple of
categories. The output power and the frequency output. The output power
is pretty straightforward. If you get too high then you have to start
doing things to protect against inadvertent exposure, such as
interlocking the device using the laser for maintenance etc.
The frequency is also a concern because the wavelength can
affect the whites or the eye or the Iris. Things of that nature.
The actual exposure is weighted over time, frequency and power
output I believe.
Can lasers be hazardous - you bet. Ronnie and the boys were
going to blow up incoming missiles with lasers, doctors cut tissue with
them etc. But they can also be reduced to such a small power output, 50
mW that they should not be harmful. Even with class 1 lasers prolonged
exposure to the beam should be avoided if for no other reason than
common sense, but incidental short term exposure doesn't seem to be
harmful.
Boy scouts and laser wars were probably not intended to be
combined, but I'll bet the standard doesn't address this issue.
Gary McInturff
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [SMTP:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 7:22 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Laser pointers
As a tie to this discussion, could someone clarify the Laser
pointer
classes? Are all of them Class 3 or higher or are there Class 2
and below.
Interestingly enough, I took a group of scouts on an activity
last week and
several kids pulled out Laser pointers and had "Light Battles"
between
themselves. What is the consensus of the group on potential
hazards from
misuse of these devices? Should Class 3 and higher be banned?
Thanks
Rick Busche
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 7:26 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Laser pointers
Dear group,
FYI:
For reason of consumer protection, laser
pointers of class 3
and higher,
according to EN60825-1, are banned for a period
of one year
from the
Belgian market. Products already in commerce
should be
removed from the
stores. This ruling was published on 16
September 1998 in
the official
"Belgisch Staatsblad - Moniteur Belge" by
Ministrial Decree
No. 98-2461.
Are there any other countries that also have a
ban on the
sales of laser
pointers of class 3 and higher?
Jean-Marie Vandenbulcke
Snr. Product Safety and Compliance Engineer.
Barco NV
Div Barco Projection Systems
Noordlaan 5 B-8520 Kuurne Belgium
Tel: + 32 56 36 83 31 Fax: + 32 56 36 83 55
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.barco.com
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