- Title: America's total eclipse floods market with fake sunglasses
- Date: 10th August 2017
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 9, 2017) (REUTERS) JEAN-LUC MARGOT, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (UCLA) PROFESSOR OF PLANETARY ASTRONOMY, SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (UCLA) PROFESSOR OF PLANETARY ASTRONOMY, SAYING: "So, there's actually an ISO standard that specifies to what degree you need to manufacture a product to be safe for viewing the sun. So, you can look for that label, the ISO label. However, there are apparently some unscrupulous vendors who've been using that label on their products even though it doesn't meet the specifications. So, I would recommend that you go to the American Astronomical Society website. They have a list of reputable vendors. And if you purchase your product from one of these vendors, you'll have a product that is safe."
- Embargoed: 24th August 2017 19:24
- Keywords: eclipse glasses solar glasses sun sunglasses fake
- Location: BARTLETT, TENNESSEE AND DEPOE BAY, OREGON AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / SAINT-LOUIS, LA REUNION, FRANCE
- City: BARTLETT, TENNESSEE AND DEPOE BAY, OREGON AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / SAINT-LOUIS, LA REUNION, FRANCE
- Country: USA
- Topics: Environment,Nature/Wildlife,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News
- Reuters ID: LVA0036TKRNLZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: When millions of Americans turn their faces skyward to witness the nation's first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in a century, many will reach for specially designed sunglasses, but experts caution the public to stay clear of unsafe counterfeits.
While makers of certified, safety-tested solar eyewear rushed to meet surging demand before the August 21 eclipse, astronomers and optometrists have warned of defective knockoffs flooding the market.
Bogus glasses have come stamped with forged logos of reputable manufacturers or with phony safety labels. Experts advise buyers to go to the website of the American Astronomical Society to seek out reputable sellers.
Staring at the sun without proper filtration, even when it is partially obscured by the moon during an eclipse, can damage or destroy photo-receptor cells of the eye's retina, leaving blind spots in a person's field of vision.
Special eyeglasses made with proper solar filters allow viewers to safely gaze at the sun for unlimited duration. Made from an extremely opaque black polymer film containing fine carbon powder, true solar-safe lenses are designed to screen out 250,000 times more visible light than would otherwise reach the naked eye. Prices range from as little as 99 cents for a pair of paper-frame glasses to $20 or $30 for a more stylish plastic set. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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