RT Report T1 Lasers and Optical Radiation: Environmental Health Criteria 23 A1 United Nations Environment Programme, A1 World Health Organization, A1 International Labour Organisation, K1 laser K1 radiation K1 accident K1 radiation damage SN 92 4 154083 4 YR 1982 FD 1982 LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29279 UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29279 NO This document provides information on the physical aspects of electromagnetic radiation in the optical spectrum, within the wavelength range of 100 mm - l mm. Optical radiation includes ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from approximately 100 nm to 400 mm, light (visible radiation) from approximately 400 nm to 760 on, and infrared radiation from approximately 760 mm to 1 mm. Each of these spectral regions can be arbitrarily divided into subregions. Lasers are capable of producing optical radiation in all three major divisions of the optical spectrum. A brief survey of lasers and other man-made sources of optical radiation is presented. It is known that optical radiation interacts with biological systems and a summary of knowledge on biological effects and health aspects has been included in this document. It is hoped that this criteria document may provide useful information for the development, at a national level, of protection measures against non-ionizing radiation. DS UN Environment Document Repository RD Sep 21, 2026