Widebeam Laser Cleaning Trials at Alberny

We have stopped all trials at this time on using laser cleaning for indoor use, on any wood surfaces, for any domestic setting.

Our extensive research into laser cleaning technology has found alarming issues regarding safety for use especially for those settings where we live. Use in homes can lead to extremely dangerous hazards for people, especially, children and pets.

*There is peer-reviewed evidence that laser cleaning of paint produces respirable and ultrafine particles; there is strong biological evidence nanoparticles can reach the bloodstream after inhalation. This is extremely dangerous.*

There are large bodies of epidemiological studies underway that may directly link wide-beam laser paint cleaning to specific systemic diseases in humans, therefore occupational exposure measurements + toxicology justify treating it as a major hazard.

*Laser cleaning of paint and coatings produces aerosols (a mixture of particle sizes from tens of nanometers to microns) and sometimes gas-phase contaminants, depending on the paint chemistry and substrate.

Nanoparticles can translocate from the lung into lymph nodes and the bloodstream, this leads to systemic disease in humans!*

Laser cleaning with substandard equipment may also lead to damage to substrate, creating weaknesses in wooden structures. This is an additional reason Alberny will not use this technology for the majority of work.

EUROPEAN MADE LASERS – meet the vigorous health and safety standards required for this equipment.

Many of the suitcase systems produced in China are sold without the full safety ecosystems that professionals rely on in Europe or the U.S.
Cheaper suitcase units also cut corners on cooling or wiring, which could lead to overheating or electrical hazards indoors during prolonged use.

To safely use one indoors, you’d need:

• Fume extraction/ventilation to capture toxic residues. This can not be standard extraction units as the particles are vaporized and must be contained.
• Protective barriers to contain stray reflections.
• Training in Class 4 laser safety procedures.
• EU made systems usually have safety circuits, robust cooling, and compliance with EU electrical standards.
• Laser cleaning vaporizes paint, rust, or coatings, creating toxic fumes and fine particulates (lead, chromium, organics, etc., depending on what you’re cleaning) so when used indoors without proper extraction/filtration (HEPA + activated carbon), you can inhale dangerous byproducts.
• High-quality units often have integrated shielding and interlocks whereas lower costing suitcase-style units may lack these protections, leaving the operator more exposed to the harmful fumes and particulates.

These “more affordable” machines are intended for occasional use and usually have more limited adjustment to their controls/output and can also create uneven cleaning, hot spots, and sometimes substrate damage, whereas True Widebeam Technology in top-end systems spreads the laser over a controlled, uniform area reducing thermal stress, avoiding micro-damage, and allowing faster, gentler cleaning of delicate surfaces so operators can tune the cleaning for sensitive substrates (historic stone, aircraft parts, etc.).

https://lasercleaning.co.uk/laser-cleaning-fume-safety/

Full article: Characterization of Aerosols Generated by Nanosecond Laser Ablation of an Acrylic Paint
https://share.google/GDPAOB65utpuD5dVZ

Rapid Translocation of Nanoparticles from the Lung Airspaces to the Body – PMC
https://share.google/Vl9CmhKni0rJwFtoB

Minimum Legal Requirements – PDF

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