Specification

All 3M
™
Protective Eyewear that meet the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-2003 provide 99.9% UV protection (UVA & UVB).
UV C
100 To 280Nm
UV B
280 To 315Nm
UV A
315 To 380Nm
Blue Light
380 To 480Nm
Visible Light
380 To 780Nm
Near IR
780 To 1400Nm
Middle IR
1400 To 2000Nm
Cornea
Conjunctivitis
Partial Blindness
Conjunctivitis
Partial Blindness
Conjunctivitis
Partial Blindness
Lens
Cataract
Premature Aging
Cataract
Premature Aging
Cataract Cataract
Partial Blindness
Cornea
Partial Blindness
Photoretinitis
Vision Problems
Discontinuous Vision
Retinitis
Pigmentosa Blindness
Polycarbonate Lens Selection Guide
Construction and Home
Improvement Markets Division
3M Center, Building 223-4S-02
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
1-800-494-3552
www.3M.com 3M and TEKK Protection are trademarks of 3M.
Please recycle. Printed in U.S.A.
© 3M 2011. All rights reserved.
70-0714-8877-2
100NM 280NM 315NM 380NM 400NM 500NM 570NM 600NM 650NM 780NM 1400NM 2000NM
UV C UV B VIOLET INDIGO BLUE GREEN YELLOW RED NEAR I.R. MIDDLE I.R.
VISIBLE SPECTRUMULTRAVIOLET SPECTRUM INVISIBLE SPECTRUM - INFRARED
This Polycarbonate Lens Selection Guide will help you understand the need for different colored lenses and lens types
for industrial applications. It will also help you determine what type of lens is best for your application and environment.
There are many lens options other than clear, gray and mirror. When choosing a lens, the basic “rule of thumb” is to
consider color opposites. Examples of these opposites are shown in the chart below in columns one and two.
Lens Color/
Type
Color of Light
Reduced or
Blocked*
Lens Properties/Use
Percent of Visible
Light Passing Through
the Lens (approx.)
Suggested Applications/Environments
Clear None
Maximum amount of light reaches
the eye for good vision and acuity.
85%+ General everyday eye protection.
Gray, Brown,
Bronze
All Reduces brightness and glare from the sun. 10%-25% Mainly for outdoor daytime use, as in typical sunglass use.
Mirror &
Colored Mirror
All Reduces brightness and glare from the sun. 50% Mainly for outdoor daytime use, as in typical sunglass use.
Indoor/Outdoor All
Reduces brightness and glare when working
both indoors and outdoors.
50%
For tasks requiring frequent movement indoor to/from outdoor.
Loading docks, forklift drivers, construction or similar jobs.
Photochromic All
Reduces brightness and glare
from the sun and indoor lighting.
Varies from
20% to 80%
Lens darkens when outside and lightens when inside.
Do not use for frequent indoor to/from outdoor movement.
Polarized All Reduces brightness and glare from the sun. 15%
Exceptional for reducing reflective glare.
Mainly for outdoor use.
Yellow/Amber
Purple and
Blue
Increases contrast, reduces haze from
blue lighting, excellent UV protection.
85%-92%
Good for inspection tasks and hazy, overcast or foggy days.
Never use for night driving.
Pink/Vermilion Green
Increases contrast, low-level indoor lighting
glare reduction.
50%
Good for inspection tasks. Some workers prefer
pink/vermilion over yellow/amber.
Blue Yellow
Reduces brightness and glare from
indoor lighting.
35%-65%
Very useful to reduce glare, eye stress and
fatigue in yellow light environments.
Filter Shades,
Green & Gray
Red Reduces ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation.
Depends upon
shade number
Predominately used for gas welding, cutting, brazing and
soldering, metal making, furnace work and open flames.
MinimizeR
™
All Reduces ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation. 50%
Provides good visual sight and acuity while absorbing UV
and some IR. Excellent for wearing with welding helmet.
* All polycarbonate safety lenses absorb 99.9% ultraviolet (UV) light.
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