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How To Calculate Maximum Permissible Exposure and Optical Density

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79 views10 pages

How To Calculate Maximum Permissible Exposure and Optical Density

Uploaded by

mrkhalid.sobhy67
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to calculate Maximum

Permissible Exposure and


optical density
• Optical density: (OD) is a measure of the ability of a material to attenuate or reduce the transmission
of light. It is commonly used in the context of laser safety to quantify the effectiveness of laser
protective eyewear.

• The formula to calculate optical density (OD) is:OD = -log10(T)Where:- OD is the optical density.-

• T is the transmission factor of the material, which represents the fraction of incident light that passes
through the material.A higher optical density indicates a greater attenuation of light and therefore
better protection against laser exposure. Typically, laser safety eyewear will have a specified optical
density rating for specific wavelengths of laser light to ensure adequate protection.
The normal optical density (OD) of laser protective eyewear depends on
the specific requirements of the laser being used and the corresponding
safety standards. Generally, higher OD values provide greater protection
against laser radiation.

To calculate the optical density (OD) of laser protective eyewear


you need to know the transmission factor (T) of the material. The
transmission factor represents the fraction of incident light that
passes through the material.Once you have the transmission factor,
you can use the formula:\[ OD = -\log_{10}(T) \]
Here's how you can calculate it:1. Determine the transmission factor (T) of the laser
protective eyewear material. This can often be found in specifications provided by the
manufacturer or through testing.2. Plug the transmission factor into the formula:\[ OD = -\
log_{10}(T) \]3. Calculate the logarithm of the transmission factor using base 10 (log10).4.
Change the sign of the result to get the optical density (OD).

For example, if the transmission factor (T) of a pair of laser safety goggles is 0.001 (meaning
0.1% of the

incident light passes through), the calculation would be

:\[ OD = -\log_{10}(0.001) \]\[ OD = -(-3) \]\[


OD = 3 \]So,
the optical density of these goggles would be 3.
The Maximum Permissible Exposure
(MPE)

Definition of MPE: Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) is the

highest level of laser radiation to which a person can be exposed

without hazardous effects.- Importance of MPE in laser safety: MPE

ensures the protection of personnel


Factors influencing MPE:

1. Wavelength: Different wavelengths of laser radiation have varying levels of penetration and tissue absorption

2. . - Duration of exposure: Longer exposure times increase the risk of damage. -

3. Beam diameter: Larger beam diameters result in a more dispersed energy distribution.

4. - Beam divergence: Higher divergence spreads the energy over a larger area, reducing the intensity.

5. - Pulse characteristics (if applicable): Pulsed lasers have different exposure limits compared to continuous

wave lasers.
Calculation of MPE

- Formula for calculating MPE: Explain the mathematical formula used to calculate MPE based on

- laser parameters and exposure duration.

Let's calculate the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) for a laser with a wavelength of 532 nanometers (nm), which
is commonly used in green laser pointers. We'll assume a continuous wave (CW) laser and a standard exposure
duration.For this example, we'll use the simplified formula provided by ANSI Z136.1-2014 standard for visible lasers:\
[ MPE = \frac{0.003 \, W}{A} \]
Where:- \( MPE \) is the Maximum Permissible Exposure in watts (W) per unit area.- \( A \) is the area of the

exposed surface in square centimeters (cm²).

Let's assume a maximum exposure duration of 0.25 seconds and an area of 1 square centimeter:\[ MPE = \

frac{0.003 \, W}{1 \, cm^2} \]\[ MPE = 0.003 \, W/cm^2 \]

So

, the Maximum Permissible Exposure for this 532 nm laser with a continuous wave and an exposure duration

of 0.25 seconds is 0.003 watts per square centimeter.In practical applications, it's important to consider

additional factors such as correction factors, beam characteristics, and safety margins to ensure safe laser

operation and compliance with safety standards.


The relation between The Maximum Permissible
Exposure (MPE) and optical density

The Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) and optical density are related but serve
different purposes in laser safety.
MPE defines the maximum level of laser radiation that is considered safe for human
exposure over a specific period of time. It is typically expressed in terms of irradiance
(power per unit area) or radiant exposure (energy per unit area). MPE values are
determined based on factors such as the wavelength of the laser, exposure duration,
and correction factors for different types of exposure.On the other hand, optical
density (OD) quantifies the ability of laser protective eyewear to attenuate or reduce
the transmission of laser radiation. A higher optical density indicates greater
attenuation of light and therefore better protection against laser exposure.While there
is no direct mathematical relationship between MPE and optical density, they are both
important considerations for laser safety. Optical density helps ensure that laser
protective eyewear provides adequate protection to keep exposure levels below the
MPE limits specified by regulatory standards. In other words, optical density
contributes to achieving compliance with MPE guidelines by reducing the intensity of
laser radiation reaching the eyes or skin.
Thank you

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