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<p>Public Health England (PHE) and its predecessor organisations first issued advice
on these matters to the then Department for Trade and Industry in October 1997 suggesting
that laser products on general sale to the public should be limited to Class 1 or
Class 2. This advice is still relevant. Trading Standards Officers use existing powers
under the General Product Safety Regulations to take enforcement action against traders
in the United Kingdom supplying high-power laser products, which are usually Class
3B or Class 4.</p><p> </p><p>Following the publication of the paper in the journal
Eye, PHE organised a workshop on 20 June 2014. This brought together two of the authors
of the paper and stakeholders from across Government, the police and experts on the
health implications of exposure to laser beams. PHE agrees with the journal article
that it is important parents are aware of the risks of laser products to their children.
It was felt that the most appropriate course of action was a campaign to increase
awareness of the risks associated with the use of these lasers, including the likelihood
that the power in the laser beam could be significantly higher than stated. PHE is
now preparing additional material to inform the public.</p><p> </p><p>The ability
to impair the vision of a pilot or a vehicle driver depends on the colour of the laser
beam, the ambient light conditions and the task being undertaken. Although Class 1
or Class 2 lasers are unlikely to impair the vision of a pilot, under specific conditions,
they can cause distraction, glare and afterimages to drivers targeted at close range.
Therefore, any inappropriate use of a laser, irrespective of the laser classification,
should be taken seriously.</p><p> </p>
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