The Illinois Department of Health has issued a warning to eclipse viewers to inspect their glasses following a recall of a brand that did not meet safety standards. These glasses were advertised on Amazon as “Biniki Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved 2024 – CE & ISO Certified Safe Shades for Direct Sun Viewing (6 Packs)” according to the IDH. However, the IDH stated that these glasses were recalled due to not meeting safety standards. These glasses were available at various stores in Southern Illinois including Farm Fresh Market in Breese, Highland Tru Buy in Highland, Perry County Marketplace in Pinckneyville, Sinclair Foods in Jerseyville, Steelville Marketplace in Steelville, and Big John Grocery in Metropolis.
Thousands of people have traveled to Southern Illinois to witness the total solar eclipse this Monday, a rare event that only occurs approximately every 375 years at a specific location on the planet. In Chicago, the eclipse will cause the moon to cover up to 94% of the sun precisely at 2:07 p.m. Without proper eye protection, viewing the sun during an eclipse can lead to serious eye damage, as noted by NASA. Certified eclipse glasses utilize a specialized solar filter, which is essential for safely viewing the event. It is recommended that safe glasses be marked with the ISO designation of 12312-2.
