Laser Pointers Safety Moment Nabila Nazneen Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center Texas A&M University College Station, Texas, USA. About me . Education: • Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) • MBA, Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka . Work Experience: • Supply Chain, Ericsson • Marketing and Supply Chain, DIRD Group 2 Red, Blue, Violet, Green . The human eye is most sensitive to light at a wavelength of 555 nanometers—a bright green. The green laser can produce brighter lights with less than 5mW output. Problem: Invisible infrared light 3 Class FDA Class IEC Laser Product Hazard Product Examples Considered non‐hazardous. Hazard increases if viewed ‐laser printers with optical aids, including magnifiers, binoculars, or I1, 1M ‐CD players telescopes. ‐DVD players Max output: <1 mW Hazard increases when viewed directly for long periods IIa, II 2, 2M of time. Hazard increases if viewed with optical aids. ‐bar code scanners Max output: 1 mW Depending on power and beam area, can be momentarily hazardous when directly viewed or when IIIa 3R staring directly at the beam with an unaided eye. Risk of ‐laser pointers injury increases when viewed with optical aids. Max output: 5 mW Immediate skin hazard from direct beam and immediate ‐laser light show projectors IIIb 3B eye hazard when viewed directly. ‐industrial lasers Max output: 500 mW research lasers Classification ‐laser light show projectors Immediate skin hazard and eye hazard from exposure to ‐industrial lasers either the direct or reflected beam; may also present a IV 4 ‐research lasers fire hazard. ‐lasers used to perform LASIK Max output: >500 mW eye surgery 4 Why Harmful? . Does it cause cancer? • No. Can it cause permanent eyesight damage? • No and Yes. Safety of visible lasers relies on a blink reflex and/or aversion response. The body’s natural aversion responses are unlikely to provide adequate protection from eye injury for Class 3B laser pointers and Class 3A laser pointers used with optical aids (e.g. magnifying glass, binocular etc.). 5 Eyesight Damage . A laser’s light is concentrated into a narrow beam. The already concentrated light is further focused by the eye lens onto a sharp dot on the retina. The light energy from a laser pointer aimed into the eye can be more damaging than looking directly into the sun. Blue and Violet Lasers can be especially dangerous. 6 Eyesight Damage . Over 150 permanent eye injuries have occurred in the U.K. from misuse of higher powered consumer lasers. A physician reports being injured by a laser pointer. A scotoma appeared four days later, and his vision took months to recover. A UK youth deliberately aimed a laser pointer in his eyes. This is what happened to his left eye. Hazard can come with even greater impact! 7 And Beyond… . The startling effect of a bright beam of light aimed at someone driving a car or operating other machinery can cause serious accidents. Causes • Temporary blindness • Disorientation and headaches . In some states such as California, it is a criminal misdemeanor to shine a laser pointer at individuals who perceive they are at risk. It is a felony to aim laser pointers at an aircraft. 8 Proper Use . Never aim or shine a laser pointer at anyone. Only activate the laser pointer when you are using it to point at a nearby object. As a training aid only Class 1 and Class 2 pointers should be used. Children’s toys should be restricted to only Class 1. As a rule, you should never look directly into any laser beam. Green Lasers can be used if brighter light is required. 9 Is your laser pointer overpowered? . Runs on button batteries: Less than 5 mW . Pen‐sized and runs on AA or AAA batteries: Likely to be more powerful Watch out for the keywords : powerful, bright, ultra, super, military, . Flashlight‐sized and runs on a cluster of AA or AAA batteries or on military grade, super bright, high power, ultra bright, strong,lithium batteries: Likely exceeds 5 mW balloon pop, burn, burning, adjustable focus, lithium battery, lithium . Sold with battery chargers: probably drain their batteries quickly and powered.are likely to be overpowered. Pointers with removable caps: Could exceed 5 mW 10 Thank you. Questions? 11 References • World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/uv/resources/fact/fs202laserpointers.pdf • Laser pointer safety. https://www.laserpointersafety.com/laser‐hazards_head‐eyes/laser‐ hazards_head‐eyes.html • US Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/radiation‐emitting‐products/laser‐ products‐and‐instruments/frequently‐asked‐questions‐about‐lasers • The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/that‐laser‐pointer‐could‐be‐more‐dangerous‐ than‐you‐think‐51339 • American Academy of Ophthalmology https://www.aao.org/eye‐health/news/laser‐pointer‐eye‐ injury • Healthy Way. https://www.healthyway.com/content/the‐hidden‐dangers‐of‐laser‐pointers/ • Marking Central. https://www.keyence.com/ss/products/marking/marking_central/question/qabasic.jsp • Health Physics Society. https://hps.org/hpspublications/articles/laser.html 12 References . World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/uv/resources/fact/fs202laserpointers.pdf . Laser pointer safety. https://www.laserpointersafety.com/laser‐hazards_head‐eyes/laser‐ hazards_head‐eyes.html . US Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/radiation‐emitting‐products/laser‐ products‐and‐instruments/frequently‐asked‐questions‐about‐lasers . The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/that‐laser‐pointer‐could‐be‐more‐dangerous‐ than‐you‐think‐51339 . American Academy of Ophthalmology https://www.aao.org/eye‐health/news/laser‐pointer‐ eye‐injury . Healthy Way. https://www.healthyway.com/content/the‐hidden‐dangers‐of‐laser‐pointers/ . Marking Central https://www.keyence.com/ss/products/marking/marking_central/question/qabasic.jsp . Health Physics Society. https://hps.org/hpspublications/articles/laser.html 13.