Infrared Thermometers Won't Harm You
The Claim
Infrared thermometers will blind you and damage your neurons.
News posted on
Emerging story
Viral messages on WhatsApp, Facebook, and social media platforms claim that infrared thermometers can blind you and damage your neurons.
One of the viral alert messages read: "Don’t let them put the laser light on you to take the temperature on your forehead, not even in the eyes, it can cause damage to the retina."
Messages were shared and liked by hundreds of social media users.
Another message says, "The temperature gun used now because of the pandemic has radiation and kills many neurons in your brain."
my man.... bless you pic.twitter.com/CZOTRis7Sg
— ErniesStashbox (@mLoganmm) July 5, 2020
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar's investigation did not find any evidence or scientific literature on the circulating news that infrared thermometers kill neurons or harm eyes as mentioned in the viral posts.
Dr. Amer Chaikouni told Misbar, “The circulating alerting messages are false, infrared thermometer uses infrared waves that are present in the normal sunshine. It even safe for children, as long as it is not directed to the eyes for a long period of time."
He added that the thermometer’s normal use does not cause any harm to the skin, eyes, or brain cells because it does not penetrate the skull.
The FDA, the federal agency that regulates drugs in the USA, reported on its website that the use of thermometers reduces "the risk of cross-contamination and minimizing the spread of disease.” In addition, they are easy to use, clean, and disinfect.
According to the Braun Forehead Thermometer manual, it is safe for children and adults that work with a passive infrared sensor that measures body temperature and does not emit energy or laser radiation to do so. The measurement is converted into an electrical signal that is represented on a digital screen, marking the person’s temperature.
