I am trying to find out how much (in candlepower and candela) it takes to do eye damage when looking at a high powered source, such as a flare?
MAR 16, 2015
Question:
I am trying to find out how much (in candlepower and candela) it takes to do eye damage when looking at a high powered source, such as a flare. I am writing a manual for the Department of Defense (DoD) Bomb Squad (EOD) forces and want to tell them how much damage flares can cause to their eyes. Some of the flares we destroy are 350,000 candela.
Answer:
Damage to the eye occurs when the source is close, bright, or looked at for an extended period of time. All flares likely have the potential to be dangerous to vision. Even commercially available road flares burn at 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Phosphorus is the main chemical, and its vapors are toxic. Flares can sometimes splatter, shooting hot burning phosphorus. Water can cause the phosphorus to explode. Skin, lung, and eye protection are important. Do NOT look directly at the flame and DO NOT inhale the toxic smoke.