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Contact: Phillip Bergman
Roher Public Relations
Eye Injuries At Moscow Event
Appear Caused By Improper Use of Pulsed-Type Laser
According To International Laser Display Association
Orlando, Florida; July
21, 2008... A “pulsed” laser designed for overhead use only was
irresponsibly aimed into the crowd at a July 5 show near Moscow,
according to the International Laser Display Association (ILDA).
Russian press reported that approximately 30 attendees at the
Aquamarine 4 Open Air Festival were said to have eye injuries from
the incident.
“From video of the
event, it appears that a pulsed laser was used in a completely
unapproved way,” said Patrick Murphy, executive director of ILDA.
“It was shocking to us – any competent laser operator should know
to never direct a pulsed beam towards an audience. Our deepest
sympathies go out to those who were injured. Some later press
accounts indicate that the injuries may not be as severe or
long-term as was first reported. Nevertheless, it never should
have happened in the first place.”
Pulsed lasers are most frequently used for
medical and industrial applications. While the beam may look
continuous to the eye, it actually consists of light emitted in
short, rapid and powerful bursts. Each 250 billionth of a second
burst contains about 100 times more energy than light from an
equivalent continuous wave laser.
Press accounts stated that the show was
originally to have been over the attendees’ heads. Due to rain at
the festival, someone – names are not yet known – decided to
rotate the lasers downwards under a tent. “Video shows that the
scanning beams went directly into the audience,” said ILDA Safety
Committee chair Greg Makhov. “This type of laser show is known as
audience scanning. This would be OK if continuous wave lasers were
used, under conditions specified by international safety
standards. But the laser operator at this show apparently did not
know or ignored the fact that pulsed lasers must not be used like
this.”
Laser shows have been popular entertainment
for over 40 years. In that time, there have only been two other
reported incidents like the one in Moscow; both were also due to
gross misuse of pulsed lasers. “Every day, lasers are safely used
to create beautiful and artistic shows for hundreds of thousands
of people around the world,” said Makhov, who has helped write
some of U.S. laser safety regulations. “Laser shows like this are
covered by laws and engineering standards from groups such as
American National Standards Institute and International
Electrotechnical Commission. None of these standards would allow
use of a pulsed laser in this fashion.”
“The safety record of
ILDA and our industry is outstanding,” said Murphy. “We have one
Russian ILDA member, and that firm was not involved in any way
with the Aquamarine show.” To help reassure the public that
professionally-created shows are safe, ILDA is taking additional
steps to further increase safety.
Effective immediately,
ILDA is requiring its 150 members in 34 countries to reaffirm
their knowledge and commitment to laser safety. Every member will
sign a document saying they have read an ILDA-prepared safety
summary, and that they will not use pulsed lasers for audience
scanning. Members must also sign to reaffirm the ILDA Code of
Ethics, which includes provisions for safe shows and requiring all
applicable laws to be followed. Any member not signing the
document will be removed from the association.
In addition, ILDA is
making available safety documents on its Website, for laserists
and anyone who wants to learn more. “Previously this was a benefit
only for members; now anyone can get a good overview of laser and
audience-scanning guidelines from ILDA,” said Murphy.
The safety documents
are at ILDA’s Website,
www.laserist.org.
In addition, a
Webpage has been set up with “Frequently Asked Questions”
about the Aquamarine show and laser safety in general. “Anyone
with questions or concerns can email or call us,” said Murphy. “We
want to let people know that safe shows are common and legal, and
that the Moscow show was an unconscionable use of the wrong type
of laser.”
About ILDA
The
International Laser Display Association, founded in 1986, is the
world’s leading organization dedicated to advancing the use of
laser displays in the fields of art, entertainment and education.
ILDA promotes the use of laser displays in the international
marketplace through awards programs, publications, technology
standards and code of ethics. ILDA also represents the industry on
safety issues and has helped develop U.S. and worldwide safety
regulations. ILDA provides forums for members to exchange ideas,
forge partnerships and explore new technologies.
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