E T V I S I O N M A N U A L
5
2
Environmental and Safety Considerations
2.1
Statement on Safety Levels of Infrared Illumination
One of the most comprehensive and authoritative sources on the subject of light source safety is a
handbook entitled
Safety with Lasers and Other Optical Sources
, by David Sliney and Myron
Wolbarsht, first published in 1980 by Plenum Press. Quoting from page 147 of this book, “safe
chronic ocular exposure values, particularly to IR-A, probably are of the order of 10 mW/cm² or
below”. “IR-A” refers to the spectral band between 760 and 1400 nanometers, the range that includes
the Argus
ETVision
LEDs.
We are aware of no data, made available since the book was published, that would challenge this
conclusion. Most people might wish to be more conservative than the figure cited above, and the
ETVision
illumination is at least an order of magnitude below this level. The largest irradiance value
that will be produced with the Argus
ETVision
optics is 0.75 mW/cm² (@ 870nm wavelength), at the
plane of the eye.
ETVison
uses non-coherent illumination. There are no lasers in the headgear.
2.2
Safety Disclaimer
Argus Science LLC has taken due care in preparing this manual and accompanying
documentation including research, development and testing.
This manual reflects the state of Argus Science’s knowledge respecting the subject matter herein
at the time of its publication, and may not reflect the state of knowledge at all times in the future.
Argus Science has carefully reviewed this manual for technical accuracy. If errors are suspected,
the user should consult with Argus prior to proceeding. Argus Science makes no expressed or
implied warranty of any kind with regards to this manual or accompanying documentation.
Argus Science makes no representation, condition or warranty to the user or any other party with
respect to the adequacy of this manual or accompanying documents for any particular purpose or
with respect to its adequacy to produce a particular result. The
ETVision
systemis intended for
use in research conditions and Argus Science makes no declaration of suitability for safety
critical uses, including, but not limited to, clinical diagnoses, heavy machine operation or other
safety dependent activities.
