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From: jharkins@sagpd1.UUCP (Jim Harkins)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Are checkout-counter lasers hazardous?
Message-ID: <584@sagpd1.UUCP>
Date: 9 Jan 90 21:04:06 GMT
References: <189@bucsb.UUCP>
Reply-To: jharkins@sagpd1.UUCP (Jim Harkins)
Organization: Scientific Atlanta, Government Products Div, San Diego, CA
Lines: 18

In article <189@bucsb.UUCP> erics@bucsb.UUCP (Michael L. Ardai) writes:
>(This is posted for a friend with read-only news access)
>
>I was in the supermarket today, and while walking past the checkout
>counter, I got zapped in the face with the laser.  Does anyone know
>if this is unsafe?

I doubt they are directly unsafe, but indirectly I'm not sure.  Whats going
to happen when Sue Supermarket Checker gets used to her laser zapping her
and her customers in the eyes with no ill effects, then meets Larry the
laser wiz?  I think most people see lasers as a "badanddangerous thing"
and this is a good attitude for most people to have.  I know that when I
had my 5 mW he-ne laser most people got upset if I shined it on them,
and when I put my hand in the path of the beam their eyes got wide as
the proverbial saucers.

jim
"Only dead fish go with the flow"