Skin Hazard Evaluation for ACP-2A Near-Infrared Pointer
Abstract
In response to safety concerns expressed by a USAF operational unit, a tri-service research team at the USAF Armstrong Laboratory tested a fielded near-IR pointing device for potential skin hazards to the users .The power output and beam profile were measured in the U.S. Army Medical Research Detachment at Brooks AFB. The sensory effects of the device were then tested at the Naval Medical Research Institute, Detachment, Brooks AFB. Skin temperature was measured with a calibrated infrared camera, sampling at 5 Hz rate before, during and after exposure. Despite the potential for delivery of large power densities (> 140 W/cm^2) to very small skin areas, no sensory or skin damage effects could be detected in human subjects under worst-case exposure conditions. The maximum change in skin temperature observed was approximately 2 deg C. The Tri-Service Team concludes that the tested device presents no hazards to operational personnel due to possible inadvertent exposure of their skin. The device can produce no sensory effects that might prove a distraction for aircrew. Its output power is far below that necessary to produce skin damage under any conditions. Fielded eye protection devices are more than adequate to prevent eye damage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA340811
Entities
People
- Dennis W. Blick
- James H. Merritt
- Jerri A. Tribble
- Peter R. Edsall
- Thomas J. Walters
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory