US: Major laser seller adds aircraft warning
WARNING: DO NOT SHINE YOUR LASER AT AN AIRCRAFT
Shooting a laser at an aircraft is considered a felony in the U.S.
The new label is being introduced in September 2009 by Wicked Lasers. They have a significant presence on the Internet, marketing a wide range of lasers for pointing, burning/cutting, and general purpose uses.
Earlier in 2009, Wicked began a major push to ensure compliance with U.S. federal laws for laser products. To their credit, Wicked went beyond current U.S. requirements and also added the warning text about aircraft.
Since LaserPointerSafety.com was founded one year ago, we have urged sellers, distributors and manufacturers to add such labels -- in all countries, not just for U.S. lasers. It is unclear whether Wicked Laser’s new aircraft warning text will be on all their lasers, or just U.S. models. Even if it is just for the U.S., it is an important start.
We want to thank Wicked Lasers for this move. It is the right thing to do, the moral thing to do ... and the smart thing to do, in order to help keep handheld lasers legal in the U.S. and elsewhere.
US: New FDA publication on laser pointer hazards
FDA is especially concerned about laser pointers above 5 mW, and about aircraft incidents. “In 2008, pilots reported a total of 950 cases of laser light striking an aircraft or illuminating a cockpit....The distraction from flash blindness could cause a serious accident.”
