Safety of laser products Compilation of maximum permissible exposure to incoherent optical radiation
Standards Australia
Provides requirements for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) values for the exposure of the human eye and skin to incoherent optical radiation from artificial sources in the wavelength range from 180 nm to 3000 nm. This Standard is identical with and has been reproduced from IEC TR 60825-9:1999.
RECONFIRMATION NOTICE
Technical Committee SF-019 has reviewed the content of this publication and in accordance
with Standards Australia procedures for reconfirmation, it has been determined that the
publication is still valid and does not require change.
Certain documents referenced in the publication may have been amended since the original
date of publication. Users are advised to ensure that they are using the latest versions of
such documents as appropriate, unless advised otherwise in this Reconfirmation Notice.
Approved for reconfirmation in accordance with Standards Australia procedures for
reconfirmation on 1 April 2014.
Approved for reconfirmation in New Zealand on behalf of the Standards Council of New
Zealand on 28 February 2014.
The following are represented on Technical Committee SF-019:
Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
Australian Dental Association
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
Defence Materiel Organisation (Australia)
Defence Science & Technology Organisation
Electronics Industry Association
National Radiation Laboratory New Zealand
NSW Business Chamber
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
Telecom New Zealand
Telstra Corporation
University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy
This Technical Report reconciles current Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) values for the exposure of the human eye and skin to incoherent
optical radiation from artificial sources in the wavelength range from 180 nm to 3000 nm with the ultimate goal of harmonisation. Exposure limits between 3000 nm and 1 mm wavelength are currently undefined.
These values are based on the best available information from experimental studies and should be used only as guides in the control of exposure to radiation from artificial sources and should not be regarded as a precise line between safe and dangerous levels.
NOTE The values of this report are applicable to most individuals, however, some individuals may be hypersusceptible or otherwise unusually responsive to optical radiation because of genetic factors, age, personal habits (smoking, alcohol, or other drugs), medication, or previous exposures. Such individuals may not be adequately protected from adverse health effects from exposure to optical radiation at or below the maximum permissible exposure values of this report. Medical advise should be sought to evaluate the extent to which additional protection is needed.
These values were mainly developed for exposure to artificial sources.
They may also be used for the evaluation of exposure to sunlight.
The MPE values should not be applicable to exposure of patients to optical radiation for the purpose of medical treatment.
Maximum permissible exposure values for the exposure to radiation from laser sources are defined in IEC 60825-1.
NOTE 1 Basic documents of this report were IEC 60825-1 (addressing lasers) and the IRPA/ICNIRP Guidelines (addressing incoherent sources). ACGIH limits are slightly different in wavelength ranges and in limit values.
NOTE 2 In spite of the fact that LEDs emit mainly incoherent radiation they are currently dealt with in IEC 60825-1.
NOTE 3 There are no damage mechanisms which are known to be different for coherent and incoherent sources. However, in many cases the limit values in IEC 60825-1 are more conservative than the values in this report. This is especially true in wavelength regions where no lasers were available when IEC 60825-1 was originally developed.
NOTE 4 Exposures to levels at the MPE values given may be uncomfortable to view or feel
upon the skin.
NOTE 5 In the UV-B and UV-C spectral ranges the MPE values approach the radiant exposures producing minimally detectable biological changes in the surface corneal cells. Levels producing harmful effects are 2 to 3 times greater.
1.1 The object of this technical report is to provide guidance for the protection of persons from incoherent optical radiation in the wavelength range from 180 nm to 1 mm by indicating safe levels of optical radiation
which are believed to be safe for most individuals in the sense that exposure at or below these levels will create no adverse effects. Because only limited knowledge exists about the effects of a long-term exposure,
most MPEs are based on acute effects of the optical radiation exposure during an eigth hours work day.
1.2 To provide procedures and methods how the level of optical radiation should be measured and evaluated for the purpose of comparison with the
maximum permissible exposure.
| Document Type | Standard |
| Status | Current |
| Publisher | Standards Australia |
| ProductNote | Reconfirmed 23/05/2014. This standard has been reconfirmed in Australia in 2014 and remains current in New Zealand. Reconfirmation Notice 23/05/2014 |
| Committee | SF-019 |
| Supersedes |
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