Does the LED light from an ordinary optical mouse pose a health hazard
for humans?  My mom insists she's heard that, but I can't find
anything about it on Snopes, nor searches through Google or Dogpile.

Hi mick92627-ga,

The light from an "ordinary optical mouse" is generated by a light
emitting diode (LED). The light that is produced is ordinary red
light. It's not laser light, nor is there any associated radiation.

So, it's just like any other bright red light - it could cause
discomfort or vision disturbance if you stare into it too closely for
too long, but there's no hidden danger.

Having said that, mice do exist that use a laser beam. If you had one
of those it should have attached to it the standard laser warning
symbol and hazard information that all consumer laser-powered products
carry. As you have referred to an "ordinary" optical mouse, it is
unlikely that you have a laser mouse.

Regards,
eiffel-ga


Google Search Strategy:

"optical mouse" led
://www.google.com/search?q=%22optical+mouse%22+led

Additional Link:

Mouse (computing) at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_mouse

Yes, but only if you look into it constantly. Even then it will likely
only cause temporary vision impairment. I've had LEDs shone into my
eyes and it's usually just spots that appear to be everywhere.

I've often wondered about wireless mice. Radiation or radio waves of
some sort mustbe going from the mouse to the base surely? If your hand
is next to this, won't the radiation damage your cells?