Stern warning on sale of laser pointers

Joe Fenech

May 29th 2010, 14:39

Who is importing and selling these? Why aren't these people jailed?

J.tonna

May 27th 2010, 18:48

Let's hope MCA will now give us a telephone number, or better an SMS contact number, where to report illegal use of such lasers. Every summer in Pretty Bay, Birzebbugia, someone points a laser at passers by, from a balcony, with the danger of hitting someone in the eyes and blind him.

John C Betts

May 27th 2010, 16:58

"Can the MSA be more specific and issue clear guidelines on which products are harmful and which are not?"
I should specify that I am not an employee of or connected to MSA; I am a lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Malta.
Laser pointers usually fall in class II and class III. Depending on the standard used, class III may or may not be banned outright. Basing on their capability, however, class III should be avoided - in particular if they are marked class IIIb.
As a simple guideline: any laser pointer marked class II is safe, but should still not be pointed directly at anyone; class III should be avoided. According to any standard used, a laser should have its class marked on it, so if a pointer does not have a clear class indicated on a label, avoid using it.

victor rodenas

May 27th 2010, 15:11

why do they let them in malta in the first place....Malta taparsi................mic..........mou.....country

Alfred Farrugia

May 27th 2010, 14:56

Can the MSA be more specific and issue clear guidelines on which products are harmful and which are not?

There are some that are not toys at all, and are powerful enough to burst balloons and light matches.

But then there are laser pointers that are used in the classrooms and at lectures, meetings and briefings, mainly during presentations – such as PowerPoint presentations. Are these banned as well? Can the MSA clarify the position for the sake of consumers and retailers?

John C Betts

May 27th 2010, 14:49

"This is apart of not explaining what Class III means" Here you go Mr Galea:
There are 4 classes of laser describing safety of use. Class I is the least harmful, class IV the most dangerous. Class III includes lasers which can permanently damage the eyes after less than 0.1s exposure, faster than the blink reflex. Thus anyone whose eyes are exposed to a beam pointed directly at them can have his eyesight damaged at best, and end up blinded at worst. There are two subdivisions of class III, a and b, the latter being the more dangerous.

The call for a ban on these is essential. Class II laser pointers, which are far less dangerous, are perfectly sufficient for most if not all pointing application.

J Cachia

May 27th 2010, 14:43

Incredible, 'Stern' warning on sale of laser pointers.... Worse part of all this is that there are people actually getting paid by tax payers' money to pass this sort of legislation.
My god . I am so grateful for the authorities to have banned these dangerous objects from our streets. I will sleep much better now. What about the tools and instruments that use this technology?? Will they prevent workmen from using tools necessary for their trade ?? What a waste of time and effort . Aren't there more important problems to solve ?? Ridiculous !!

lgalea

May 27th 2010, 13:59

This is taking things overboard by the authorities. What they should have done is to make sure that everyone knows the dangers if these are pointed into the eyes and not a blanket prohibition. They could have limited the sale to grown-ups. This is apart of not explaining what Class III means, or is just a scaremongering tactic by withholding information?