Re: Laser Pointer Article

["Greg Sackett" <gregsackett@radix.net>]

>      There is an excellent article entitled "Putting Risks in Perspective - 
>      Lessons Learned from Laser Pointers" in the December issue of 
>      Industrial Safety and Hygiene News. It gives a real good comparison of 
>      the true risks from them versus the public's perception of the risk. 

This is a good article describing the risks (or lack thereof) for 
permanent damage to eyes or other health effects, but how many 
accidents are being caused by laser pointers?  Car accidents caused 
by lasers flashing in peoples eyes?  Accidental police shootings due 
to mistaking beams for laser sights?  Could a flash of the beam to 
the eye cause an epileptic to have a seizure (a concern because my 
wife is epileptic)? Is there any data on such things?  I doubt it as 
of yet...  Still, it is depressing that such a potentially useful 
gadget such as a laser pointer has become so annoying (even though 
not dangerous) in the hands of irresponsible people.

Regards,

Greg

*******************************************
Greg Sackett
Health Physicist
Enercon Services, Inc.
(301) 972-5221
gregsackett@radix.net
Texas A&M University, Class of '93, '95
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