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From: RKSCHMID@MECHANICAL.watstar.uwaterloo.ca (R. Kyle Schmidt)
Subject: Re: Broken CD Rom drives
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References: <35sr1e$gco@handler.Eng.Sun.COM> <STEVE.94Sep24185011@susie.vigra.com> <1994Sep29.055324.7924@hparc0.aus.hp.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 1994 13:27:07 GMT

In article <1994Sep29.055324.7924@hparc0.aus.hp.com> robink@aus.hp.com (Robin Kenny) writes:
>From: robink@aus.hp.com (Robin Kenny)
>Subject: Re: Broken CD Rom drives
>Date: Thu, 29 Sep 1994 05:53:24 GMT

>Steve Haehnichen (steve@vigra.com) wrote:
>: >Class I laser product: No known biological hazard. The light is
>: So I guess the question is, are CD players Class I because of
>: interlocks, or because they have whimpy lasers?

>: I wouldn't gaze into the lit LED needlessly, but I really doubt an
>: occasional glance could do much eye damage with a CD player's laser.
>: -Steve "The other eye is a spare" Haehnichen

>: Steve Haehnichen                 Vigra, Inc.  San Diego, CA
>: steve@vigra.com                  (619) 597-7080 x116   Fax: (619) 597-7094


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>The human eye can be damaged by an IR laser of any power, the nature of
>the damage is different for different power levels. 
>You risk destruction of the retina and selective blindness - 
>                   NEVER BE CASUAL WITH LASERS!
>The most damage will result when your eyes are focused on infinity.
>Obviously a bright red light will make you focus close.

>The original researcher in Japan who worked on the early laser printer 
>technology is reportedly blind to near-horizontal lines; he gazed into a 
>scanning beam. (Somebody back this up with a citation, please)

>Another way to check the laser output is a strip of phosphorescent paper
>in the beam. Ordinary paper will do for visible light lasers.

>While I would be happier to go home and check my references, I feel better
>for throwing this warning message onto the net now.
>If anyone would like to confirm or correct, please feel free to do so.

>Robin Kenny - robink@hparc0.aus.hp.com           
>(everything in this message is PERSONAL OPINION ONLY and has no connection
>with my work or my employer, the Hewlett-Packard Company Australia)
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------


>For the record, if you wear contact lenses near an electric arc, (say a
>high power knife switch breaking circuit) the soft x-rays produced have
>been known to WELD THE CONTACT LENS TO THE EYE. This is independant of
>the power involved and seems to be related to the frequency of the x-rays.


While I agree with everything posted re: lasers I must take issue with the 
above statement. While suffer from the same lack of formal citations as you, 
the IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Assoc) once issued a warning 
regarding Arc Welding and contact lenses. They said much the same as you. 
However, this was proved to be incorrect and the much embarassed IAPA 
rescinded its warning.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. Kyle Schmidt

Blatant copy .SIG follows:

Duct tape is like the Force: it has a light side, a dark side and it binds
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