Are you 100% sure your laser pointer is operating at the safer low power required by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)? According to the FDA, many laser pointers emit at higher powers than allowed and are illegally sold to consumers. An informal test conducted by the EHS Office of Radiological Safety showed the power of three laser pointers purchased from the internet were all much higher than the allowable FDA limit and actually operated at Class 3B power levels. Class 3B and Class 4 lasers are higher powered lasers that pose a very serious eye hazard potential. These laser classes fall under the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Program and have several safety requirements for their operation to prevent hazardous exposures.

As a public safety service to Georgia Tech, the Laser Safety Committee and Environmental Health and Safety are offering a laser pointer safety workshop that will test the operating power of your laser pointer. This test will take just a few minutes to evaluate the emitted laser power and the warning labels and provide a determination on whether or not your laser pointer is FDA compliant.

If you are unable to stop by the workshop on this date, please contact the Laser Safety Officer, Gary Spichiger, to schedule a test.