What types of lasers can laser protective masks protect against?

With the widespread use of laser technology, laser protective masks (also known as laser protective helmets, laser safety helmets) play a very important role as a protective equipment to protect individuals from laser radiation, which can cause serious eye and skin damage. Whether engaged in medical procedures, industrial applications or scientific research, knowing which lasers the protective mask can protect against is crucial to choosing the right safety equipment. This article describes the types of lasers that laser protective masks can generally protect against, as well as the factors to consider when choosing the right laser protective mask.

1. Types of lasers that laser protective masks can protect against

Laser protective masks are designed to block or filter specific wavelengths of laser light, depending on the type of laser and its application. The most common types of lasers and their associated risks include:

Ultraviolet (UV) lasers (100nm-400nm)

Ultraviolet lasers are commonly used in scientific research, laser engraving or certain medical treatments, and are known for their potential photochemical damage to the eyes. UV radiation can cause cataracts, retinal burns and other eye damage. Laser protective masks that filter out UV rays can help prevent these risks.

Visible lasers (400nm-780nm)

Visible lasers are the most common lasers used in everyday life, including laser pointers, projectors, and some medical lasers. While these lasers may not be as dangerous as UV or IR lasers, prolonged exposure or direct contact with the eye can still cause damage to the retina, resulting in impaired vision or even permanent blindness. Laser protective masks designed for visible light can prevent this damage.

Infrared (IR) lasers (780nm-1400nm)

Infrared lasers are used in a variety of industrial and medical applications, such as laser cutting, engraving, welding, and some laser-based therapies. IR lasers can penetrate the lens of the eye and cause severe thermal damage to the retina. Protective masks designed to block IR wavelengths are essential to prevent burns or permanent eye damage in environments where IR lasers are used.

Far-infrared lasers (1400nm and above)

These high-energy lasers are often used in material processing, industrial applications, and medical treatments. Far-infrared lasers pose a serious thermal risk to both the skin and the eyes. Protective masks designed for far-infrared lasers are made with special coatings and filters to effectively protect the wearer from the high-energy beams.

Laser protective masks are usually marked with their wavelength protection range, ensuring that the appropriate mask is selected according to the specific laser used.

2. Dangers of laser radiation

Laser radiation can cause a range of serious injuries, depending on the wavelength, power and exposure time of the laser. The main hazards include:

Thermal damage: High-powered lasers, especially those in the infrared and far-infrared ranges, produce intense heat that can cause retinal burns or even permanent blindness if not properly protected.

Photochemical damage: Ultraviolet lasers can cause chemical changes in eye tissues, which can cause cataracts, corneal scarring or other long-term vision impairment.

Mechanical damage: Short-pulse lasers (such as femtosecond lasers) release huge amounts of energy in a very short period of time, which may cause mechanical damage to delicate eye structures.

By blocking or reducing the intensity of lasers at specific wavelengths, laser protective masks help mitigate these risks and ensure that workers or medical professionals are not exposed to harmful radiation.

3. Choose the right laser protective mask

Choosing the right laser protective mask depends on several factors:

Laser wavelength: Make sure the protective mask is designed to protect against the specific wavelengths used in your application. For example, if you are using an infrared laser, choose a mask that provides protection in the infrared spectrum.

Optical density (OD): Optical density indicates how much light a mask can block at a specific wavelength. Higher OD provides more effective protection. For example, in the work scenes of laser welding and laser handheld welding, the equipment power is very high, generally kilowatts. We generally recommend using laser protective masks with an OD value of 7 or above. Laser protective masks from LaserPair are specially designed for laser welding and laser handheld welding, and the protection level is very high.

Safety standards: Look for masks that meet recognized safety standards, such as EN 207 (European standard) or ANSI Z136.1 (American standard) to ensure reliability and effectiveness.Laser protective masks (laser protective helmets,laser safety helmet) from LaserPair have passed the EU standard EN207.

Comfort and fit: Since laser protective masks are often worn for long periods of time, comfort is important.

Conclusion

Laser protective masks are essential safety equipment designed to prevent the harmful effects of various types of lasers. Whether working with UV, visible light, infrared or far infrared lasers, it is critical to choose the correct protective mask for the specific laser wavelength you are working with.