Eclipse glasses given away at a public health center 'not safe,' health department says

Glasses given away at Lentz Health Center are unsafe for viewing the eclipse, Metro Public Health Department officials said.

Five hundred glasses were given away two weeks ago and "do not provide the appropriate level of protection to view the upcoming solar eclipse," the department said in a statement. The glasses lacked the proper certification for direct observation. 

The health department advises that these glasses not be used for viewing the eclipse on Aug. 21.

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The health department did not identify the glasses supplier but said the department was told the glasses were safe. When the department contacted the supplier Tuesday, they were told the glasses "passed."

The health department made the announcement after a News 2 reporter discovered he could see light come through the lenses and notified the health department, according to WKRN.com.

Reach Jamie McGee at 615-259-8071 and on Twitter @JamieMcGee_.