Laser Beam Dangers
Lasers are used in the 21st century everywhere from medical centers to the entertainment sector, and are increasingly available for use in the workplace and for sale over the Internet. Since individuals are more likely to encounter them now than ever before, and may even be asked to supervise laser use as part of their jobs, they need to be aware of the dangers which can arise from laser beams.
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Damage To Eyes
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Exposure to even a low-powered laser beam, such as one emitted from a hand-held laser pointer, can, for a start, cause flash blindness. Afterimages --- spots on an individual's field of vision --- are another common effect and may last for a few minutes. In the worst cases, a laser beam can cause permanent damage to the retina.
Blindness For Pilots
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Pilots flying planes are in particular danger from lasers aimed at them from the ground. When a laser beam is shined directly at a pilot, it can cause temporary blindness, potentially causing an accident. According to accounts from pilots, reported on the U.S.A. Today Travel website, pilots are targeted by laser beams on a surprisingly regular basis; the Federal Aviation Administration claims 2,836 pilots complained of laser use in 2010. Laser beams can cause as much as 10 seconds of blindness.
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Threat To Skin
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A laser beam of 1 watt or more is deemed high-powered enough to damage an individual's skin, according to the Laser FX website. Though most people react to a laser beam's touch, moving quickly away and thus escaping serious injury, even very temporary contact with a laser can burn the skin, resulting in a skin lesion.
Fire Hazard
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Many different materials commonly found in everyday life are vulnerable to the effects of high-powered laser beams. Deflected laser beams of a high power can cause materials ranging from wood to nylon to ignite, burning nearby individuals and causing damage to personal property and buildings. Individuals operating a laser should bear in mind the direction of the beam at all times, to avoid the beam affecting flammable materials.
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References
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