Counterfeit protective eyewear could put your eyesight at risk
Millions of Americans will watch the Aug. 21 solar eclipse and have already purchased (or will) eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers to do so. Some of these people may be at risk from counterfeit glasses and viewers sold by disreputable vendors trying to cash in on this rare event, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Watching the eclipse with fake protective gear can cause permanent eye damage, making this a community risk reduction issue.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) says only glasses and viewers verified by an accredited testing laboratory to meet ISO 12312-2 are safe to use when viewing the eclipse. This standard requires glasses and viewers to be thousands of times darker than typical sunglasses.
How do you know if your eclipse glasses are legit?
It may be hard to tell the difference between genuine protective gear and fake glasses/viewers as some counterfeit makers are placing ISO labels on them, according to USFA. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has guidance to help eclipse watchers determine if their eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers are safe. In addition, NASA recommends that eclipse watchers refer to the AAS’s website for a list of reputable vendors selling solar glasses and viewers.
It is vital that you protect your eyes at all times with the proper solar glasses and viewers. Check out these NASA safety tips for watching the eclipse.
Source: usfa/fema.gov
