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Madrid withdraws 4,000 eclipse glasses and reinforces surveillance at viewpoints
Madrid City Council has withdrawn 4,000 glasses intended for observing this Wednesday’s solar eclipse from the market after detecting that they did not meet the mandatory labelling and information requirements. The Council has also reinforced the Municipal Police and Samur-Civil Protection in view of the expected crowds at the main observation points.
The inspections carried out by the Municipal Consumer Institute in recent weeks have focused on opticians, bazaars and hypermarkets. Among the irregularities detected are a lack of information about the manufacturer or importer, the absence of a batch or model number, and insufficient instructions for use and maintenance.
Technicians have also located products without adequate references to the applicable regulations or to the corresponding European declaration of conformity. Glasses with these shortcomings have been withdrawn to prevent them reaching consumers just before one of the most eagerly anticipated astronomical phenomena of recent years.
The City Council also maintains an information campaign to explain how to view the eclipse safely. This Wednesday, the last available glasses were handed out free at a Madrid Salud point installed next to the Mario Vargas Llosa municipal library in Plaza de Tribunal.
The deputy mayor, Inma Sanz, has insisted that approved protection must be used throughout the observation from Madrid city. As the Sun will not be completely obscured in the city, there will still be sufficient brightness to cause eye damage if people look directly without suitable protection.
The recommendation is especially important for children. It is also advisable to make brief observations, take breaks, protect oneself from the heat and remain properly hydrated during an afternoon when temperatures will remain high.
The City Council also reminds people that an injury to the retina may not cause pain immediately. If spots, blurred vision, altered colours or any other visual change appear after the eclipse, the recommendation is to see a health professional as soon as possible, since certain damage may become permanent.
The municipal operation will be concentrated at points where a larger public presence is expected, such as La Gavia Park and northern Barajas. Municipal Police and Samur will also monitor other gatherings related to observing the sky and the Perseids, while a basic rule for drivers is stressed: do not stop on hard shoulders or carriageways to watch the eclipse, do not use special glasses at the wheel and do not record the phenomenon while driving.