GEN: Are laser light pens a hazard?

[DOUG BANCKS]

Hi folks,
Because some parents are asking for explanations as to why laser light pens are not allowed in school my principal has asked for supporting data/arguments. Clearly, they can easily be a nuisance item. But how about as a hazard to the eyes? Does anyone have a place I can go to get this type of information?

Please send responses directly to me at: dba...@fairmont.k12.mn.us

Thanks for your help,
Doug Bancks
Fairmont High School
Fairmont MN 56031

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[Diane VanGorden]

I watched a Denver-based newcast last night discussing this. One of the =
things pointed out was that the red dot from laser light pens looks very =
much like the red dot projected by lazer scopes on some weapons. The =
newscaster stated that there had been cases where people using laser pens =
had been charged with assault because it was thought they had a weapon!

Diane K. VanGorden, LMS
Baker High / Middle Schools
1015 S 3rd Street W / POB 659
Baker, MT 59313-0659 USA
email va...@baker.k12.mt.us
voice 406 778-3329
fax 406 778-2785

In literature as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others. =
Andre Maurois

[David Lindsey]

Yes they are a hazard....in December a sub-teacher at the high school
received a retinal burn...right eye I believe....fortunately, the damage
will not be permanent....laser light pens are now banned and are to be
confiscated.....

David A. Lindsey
Librarian
Lakewood Middle and High School Libraries
Lakewood, WA 98259
dlin...@eagle.esd189.wednet.edu
ka7...@gte.net
dlin...@lwsd.wednet.edu

[Martimo Choi Family]

Yes, they are a hazard. Just wanted to let you know that there was a BIG
auto accident in Morgan Hill, CA, over the holidays. It supposedly
started when a driver who was speeding down the road also flashed a laser
pointer at another driver, sending his vehicle out of control, flipping
over the center divide and crashing into a car killing all four teenagers
before it hit another car. The driver with the laser pointer ran away
from the scene, but was arrested and is now in jail awaiting trial.

Susan Martimo Choi
Manager, Library Services
Educational Media Center
Santa Clara County Office of Education
San Jose, CA
smc...@ix.netcom.com