Final answer:
High levels of laser radiation are a significant hazard for the skin and eyes. UV radiation of ≤ 400 nm can cause skin damage and contribute to skin cancer, while high intensity UVB can damage the eyes and lead to cataracts. Doses above 1 Sv are considered high and potentially damaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
High levels of laser radiation are considered to be an acute hazard to the skin and eyes from direct and scattered radiation. Exposures to radiation with frequencies higher than visible light, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, X-rays, and gamma rays, are known to cause cell damage because of their high energy and penetrating abilities.
UV radiation, in particular, with wavelengths of ≤ 400 nm can cause severe skin damage like sunburn and contribute to skin cancer, as it is part of the solar UV radiation reaching Earth's surface. The ozone layer helps protect us by absorbing UV radiation with wavelengths less than 350 nm.
When it comes to the eyes, high intensity UVB light can cause conditions like welder's flash (photo keratitis or arc eye) and may lead to cataracts. Furthermore, the risks associated with radiation exposure depend on the dosage received. Low doses are defined as less than 100 mSv, moderate doses range from 0.1 Sv to 1 Sv, and high doses are anything above 1 Sv.