HTPOW LASER POINTER
Recently the newspaper reported a accident caused by laser pointer. People realized that the high power laser pointer is more likely it will cause serious eye injuries, burn skin and temporarily impair the vision of pilots or drivers. But judging the safety of that laser pointer in your desk drawer or in your kid's hand isn't simple.
Daniel Hewett, health promotion officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, mentioned the consumer is in a difficult position, said the agency tasked with enforcing the rule for products.
As power increases above five milliwatts, the time margin for safe exposure decreases and permanent eye and skin damage can occur quickly. However, the output power of laser pointers is not immediately apparent to the user. Laser pointers often lack appropriate labeling or are mislabeled, and definitive testing of individual pointers is beyond the reach of the average consumer.
The FDA does offer advice to help consumers identify which laser products might be dangerous and how to use devices safely. The agency is making laser safety awareness a priority just as a new study has shown that even the briefest exposure to high-powered blue handheld laser products can cause serious eye injuries. And over 200mw laser pointer can make a burning, you can find lots of ads for burning laser pointer with internet.
Researchers have concluded that the wide availability of these devices, which are often marketed as toys, could lead to an epidemic of eye injuries, according to a recently released by Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
If a laser with less than five milliwatts of output power is directed at someone's eye, that person can blink or turn away without suffering an eye injury. However, the natural protective mechanisms of the eye – such as the blink reflex – are ineffective against lasers with an output power greater than five milliwatts, and severe retinal damage may occur, even after momentary exposure.
Here's what the FDA advises:
- Never aim or shine a laser pointer at anyone.
- Don't buy laser pointers for your children.
- Before purchasing a laser pointer, make sure it has the following information on the label:
- a statement that it complies with Chapter 21 CFR (the Code of Federal Regulations);
- the manufacturer or distributor's name and the date of manufacture;
- a warning to avoid exposure to laser radiation; and
- the class designation, ranging from Class I to IIIa. Class IIIb and IV products should be used only by individuals with proper training and in applications where there is a legitimate need for these high-powered products.
You can find more guidance on htpow.com.
