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Information Sheet No. 24

May 2004

Safe Use of Laser Pointers

Introduction

Laser pointers are battery-powered lasers which are small enough to be concealed in the closed hand, but can produce an intense spot of light hundreds of metres away. Used as presentation aids by lecturers and teachers for a number of years, they are now more readily available, particularly to children.  The possibility of accidental or deliberate exposure raises safety issues.  Laser pointers can distract people, causing accidents, and may cause permanent damage if shone straight into the eye.

Laser radiation

Laser pointers currently available emit a very narrow beam of red coloured light (between 630-670 nm wavelength), which diverges only slightly with distance.  Even though the power in the beam is low, it can be concentrated onto a tiny spot on the retina of the eye.  For this reason, even low powered lasers can cause permanent damage if shone straight into the eye.

Laser classification

Lasers pointers sold in New Zealand should be classified according to the hazards they present, as defined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2211.1:2004.  This Standard is based on international guidelines, and the classification scheme is outlined in the NRL information sheet, IS20 (Laser safety).  Laser pointers in Class 1 and Class 2 are considered safe, as the eyes are protected by our reflex action to look away and blink when a bright light is shone into them.

Many of the laser pointers now available would be classified as 3B under the New Zealand laser Standard.  (Because they are imported, the marking on these lasers generally gives their classification under the American laser Standard, which is Class IIIA.)  Class 3B lasers can cause permanent damage to the eyes before they are averted by the body’s natural reflexes.

The NZ laser Standard recommends that laser pointers should not exceed Class 2.  A range of precautionary measures are recommended for Class 3B lasers, including operation in controlled areas, protective glasses and warning signs.

Laser pointer hazards

Although the risk of a permanent eye injury from a laser pointer may be small, someone receiving even a very brief eye exposure from a laser pointer will experience a bright flash, a dazzling effect, which is likely to cause distraction, temporary loss of vision and possibly after-images in the affected eye.  The time taken to recover from these effects may be several minutes to several days.

Deliberate staring into the beam can cause permanent eye damage, and several cases have been reported around the world.

Precautions

As with other types of laser products, laser pointers should always be used safely and in accordance with the current user guidelines specified in the New Zealand Standard. The laser should not be shone at reflective surfaces (such as mirrors) and children should not have unsupervised access to them.  Laser pointers should never be pointed at anyone, and should not be used outside where other people may be unintentionally exposed to the beam.

The National Radiation Laboratory recommends that only Class 1 or 2 laser pointers be used, and that laser pointers should not be given to children as toys.

For further information, contact

National Radiation Laboratory
P O Box 25099
Christchurch
New Zealand

Phone:          + 64 3 366 5059   
Fax:              + 64 3 366 1156         
Internet:        http://www.nrl.moh.govt.nz  

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