Injuries at Hong Kong party shine light on UV exposure
- Events sector in Hong Kong suffers another blow after some 22 people at NFTs promotion report eye troubles
Even those with zero interest in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) would be wise to focus on the current investigation into eye injuries reported by people who attended a recent party hosted by the company behind the Bored Ape cryptocurrency art collection.
The organiser has admitted that UVA-emitting lights were likely to have caused eye and skin problems reported by at least 22 people attending the event a week ago at the city’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Some partygoers experienced a burning sensation, uncontrollable tears and temporary blindness.
More than 2,000 people from 60 countries and regions had gathered for the annual three-day ApeFest. It was the first time the event, for owners of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, had been held outside New York, as part of an Asian markets push by US-based brand manager Yuga Labs.
On Tuesday, the Hospital Authority confirmed that accident and emergency services had treated six partygoers. At least one victim said they were diagnosed with photokeratitis, also known as snow blindness, which occurs when unprotected corneas are damaged by UV rays, a form of ultraviolet light found in sunlight. UVA light fixtures are commonly used in tanning beds.
UVA light exposure may have caused eye problems at Hong Kong NFT event: organiser
Yuga Labs said its investigation in collaboration with event production company Jack Morton Worldwide “determined that UVA emitting lights installed in one corner of the event [were] … likely the cause of the reported issues related to attendees’ eyes and skin”.
The case is another blow for the events management sector. In July 2022, a giant LED screen fell on stage at a Hong Kong Coliseum concert by boy band Mirror, injuring two dancers including one who is still in recovery.
Five people were arrested for under-reporting the weight of equipment at the venue and a task force found that organisers failed to certify the installation as safe.
While those hurt at ApeFest have all reportedly recovered, the case is another wake-up call. Eye specialists want the government to come up with improved guidelines on the use of UV lights at such events.
Further investigation is needed to improve oversight and accountability.
