Gov't Report: Laser Pointers Produce Too Much Energy, Pose Risk For the Careless

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Gov't Report: Laser Pointers Produce Too Much Energy, Pose Risk For the Careless

Posted by Soulskill on Wednesday March 20, 2013 @08:55AM from the isn't-that-half-the-fun dept.

coondoggie writes "Commercial grade green and red laser pointers emit energy far beyond what is safe, posing skin, eye and fire hazards. That was the conclusion of a National Institute of Standards and Technology study on the properties of handheld lasers. The study tested 122 of the devices and found that nearly 90% of green pointers and about 44% of red pointers tested were out of federal safety regulation compliance."

8 of 260 comments (clear)

So then... by gman003 · 2013-03-20 09:00 · Score: 4, Funny

"The study tested 122 of the devices and found that nearly 90% of green pointers and about 44% of red pointers tested were out of federal safety regulation compliance."
So blue lasers are safe then?
1. Re:So then... by Ignacio · 2013-03-20 10:25 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  A pair of filters with polarization aligned at right angles to each other will block over 99% of the laser light when placed in front of each other.
In other news, by Antony+T+Curtis · 2013-03-20 09:00 · Score: 2, Funny

In other news, a report reports that automobiles produce too much energy and poses risks, including death, for the careless.

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No sig. Move along - nothing to see here.
A lobbying group composed of house cats said... by Steauengeglase · 2013-03-20 09:05 · Score: 5, Funny

"We need more testing in this field, particularly on that white wall over there."
Re:nice link by Synerg1y · 2013-03-20 09:14 · Score: 1, Funny

-1 TFA!
Re:How else... by Beardo+the+Bearded · 2013-03-20 09:17 · Score: 5, Funny

are we supposed to fight the sharks?
Just claim to be a member of the NRA and any attempt by the gummint to lower power is infringing your 2nd amendment rights.
It's the NLA, the National LASER Association, and we do have a serious lobbying effort underway.
If the founding fathers had had lasers, then they'd have done fine without France's support.

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ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
Re:Oh, we can do something about THAT? by Nadaka · 2013-03-20 09:34 · Score: 5, Funny

Throw in a gallon of jeagermeister, and a 3 wheeler ATV and you have my vote! ;)
XKCD On 1W Lasers by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-20 12:24 · Score: 3, Funny

From XKCD What-If #13:

A 1-watt laser is an extremely dangerous thing. It’s not just powerful enough to blind you—it’s capable of burning skin and setting things on fire. Obviously, they’re not legal for consumer purchase in the US.
Just kidding! You can pick one up for $300.