AS/NZS 2211.9:2002

1 - AS/NZS 2211.9:2002 SAFETY OF LASER PRODUCTS - COMPILATION OF MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE TO INCOHERENT OPTICAL RADIATION
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
7 - 1 Scope and Object
8 - 2 Reference documents
9 - 3 Definitions
9 - 3.1 angular magnification M
9 - 3.2 angular subtense
9 - 3.3 aperture, aperture stop
10 - 3.4 apparent source
10 - 3.5 blue light hazard
10 - 3.6 coherence
10 - 3.7 coherence length
10 - 3.8 diode emitter
10 - 3.9 exposure distance
10 - 3.10 exposure duration
11 - 3.11 incoherent
11 - 3.12 infrared radiation
11 - 3.13 infrared A (IR-A)
11 - 3.14 infrared B (IR-B)
11 - 3.15 infrared C (IR-C)
11 - 3.16 intended use
11 - 3.17 intermediate source
12 - 3.18 irradiance
12 - 3.19 large source
12 - 3.20 light
12 - 3.21 light emitting diode (LED)
13 - 3.22 maximum angular subtense
13 - 3.23 maximum permissible exposure (MPE)
13 - 3.24 measurement aperture
13 - 3.25 monochromatic radiation
13 - 3.26 optical radiation
14 - 3.27 photometric quantities
14 - 3.28 pulse duration
15 - 3.29 radiance
16 - 3.30 radiant energy
16 - 3.31 radiant exposure
16 - 3.32 radiant power
16 - 3.33 reflectance
16 - 3.34 scanned radiation
17 - 3.35 small source
17 - 3.36 solid angle
18 - 3.37 spectral irradiance
18 - 3.38 spectral radiance
18 - 3.39 time integrated radiance
18 - 3.40 ultraviolet radiation
19 - 3.41 ultraviolet A (UV-A)
19 - 3.42 ultraviolet B (UV-B)
19 - 3.43 ultraviolet C (UV-C)
19 - 3.44 visible radiation (light)
19 - 3.45 visual angle
19 - 4 Maximum permissible exposure
19 - 4.1 General remarks
20 - 4.2 Measurement aperture
21 - 4.3 Pupil diameter
22 - 4.4 Repetitively pulsed, modulated or scanned radiation
24 - 4.5 Angular subtense of the source
26 - 4.6 Time basis
26 - 4.7 Radiance and irradiance
27 - 4.8 Maximum permissible exposure of the eye
27 - 4.8.1 Ultraviolet spectral range
29 - 4.8.2 Visible and infrared spectral ranges
35 - 4.8.3 Overview on the maximum permissible exposure of the eye
37 - 4.9 Maximum permissible exposure of the skin
37 - 4.9.1 Ultraviolet spectral range (180 nm to 400 nm)
37 - 4.9.2 Visible and infrared spectral ranges (380 nm to 3000 nm)
38 - 4.10 Photometric quantities
38 - 5 Measurements
38 - 5.1 Measurement conditions
40 - 5.2 Measurement methods
40 - 5.2.1 Measurement of (time integrated) radiance
41 - 5.2.2 Measurement of the dimensions of the apparent source
44 - 5.2.3 Determination of the angular subtense
45 - Annex A - Spectral functions for the Blue-Light-Hazard and the Retinal Thermal Hazard according to ICNIRP
46 - Annex B - Ultraviolet exposure limits and spectral weighting functions according to ICNIRP
47 - Annex C - Relative spectral luminous efficiency according to CIE
48 - Annex D - Action spectra
48 - D.1 Erythema (skin):
49 - D.2 Pigmentation (skin):
50 - D.3 Premature skin ageing and skin cancer:
50 - D.4 Photokeratoconjunctivitis (eye):
51 - D.5 Cataract (eye):
51 - D.6 Retinal photochemical injury (eye):
52 - Annex E - Bibliography

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.

This Technical Report reconciles current Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) values for the exposure of the human eye and skin to incoherentoptical 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 feelupon 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 radiationwhich 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 themaximum permissible exposure.

First published as AS/NZS 2211.9:2002.