As a follow-up (and conclusion) I am submitting a link to Ebay where these pens are marketed. This gives you an idea of the general misuse of these devices.
This not meant as advertisement for Ebay and I hope that the posting of this link is not inappropriate. Just a pet peeve I guess. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=41883410 <http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=41883410> -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, November 12, 1998 2:09 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Laser Pointers This will be my last comment on this topic. The following bulletin came from the CDRH web page: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhlth/index.html HHS NEWS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services P97-45 FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sharon Snider: 301-827-6242 December 18, 1997 Broadcast Media: 301-827-3434 Consumer Inquires: 800-532-4440 FDA ISSUES WARNING ON MISUSE OF LASER POINTERS The Food and Drug Administration is warning parents and school officials about the possibility of eye damage to children from hand-held laser pointers. These products are generally safe when used as intended by teachers and lecturers to highlight areas on a chart or screen. However, recent price reductions have led to wider marketing, and FDA is concerned about the promotion and use of these products as children's toys. The light energy that laser pointers can aim into the eye can be more damaging than staring directly into the sun. Federal law requires a warning on the product label about this potential hazard to the eyes. "These laser pointers are not toys. Parents should treat them with the appropriate care," said FDA Lead Deputy Commissioner Michael A. Friedman, M.D. "They are useful tools for adults that should be used by children only with adequate supervision." FDA's warning is prompted by two anecdotal reports it has received of eye injury from laser pointers--one from a parent, the other from an ophthalmologist. Momentary exposure from a laser pointer, such as might occur from an inadvertent sweep of the light across a person's eyes, causes only temporary flash blindness. However, even this can be dangerous if the exposed person is engaged in a vision-critical activity such as driving. #### ATTENTION TV BROADCASTERS: Please use open caption for the hearing impaired. --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to [email protected] with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] (the list administrators). --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to [email protected] with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] (the list administrators).
