Abstract

Background

This study assessed the use of and exposure to handheld laser devices by Canadians and the potential associated health risks.

Data and methods

The 2019 Canadian Community Health Survey collected data from 12,397 Canadians on the prevalence of handheld laser exposure or use, and associated eye or skin injuries.

Results

In 2019, an estimated 12.4% (95% CI: 11.4% to 13.4%) of Canadians reported using a handheld laser device or being exposed to its beam in the previous year, and those between the ages of 12 and 17 represented 30.5% (95% CI: 26.6% to 34.4%) of users. The highest laser device use or exposure was among those with a university education (13.8%; 95% CI: 11.8% to 15.8%), and a significant trend was found over income categories (p < 0.0001). The highest prevalence of exposure or use involved laser pointers (69.4%; 95% CI: 65.4% to 73.4%), followed by laser toys (38.5%; 95% CI: 34.6% to 42.5%), laser torches (8.2%; 95% CI: 6.1% to 10.4%) and—lastly—search-and-rescue lasers (0.8%E; 95% CI: 0.3% to 1.2%). Overall, 0.7%E (95% CI: 0.2% to 1.2%) of Canadians reported discomfort or injury in the past 12 months. One-quarter (27.9%; 95% CI: 23.8% to 31.9%) of users had a laser beam intentionally directed toward their eyes or skin. Most users did not buy the device (56.3%; 95% CI: 52.1% to 60.5%), while 40.5% (95% CI: 36.2% to 44.7%) purchased it at a Canadian retail store or online (3.8%E; 95% CI: 2.6% to 5.0%).

Interpretation

The prevalence of handheld laser device use and beam exposure was 12.4% (95% CI: 11.4% to 13.4%), representing approximately 3.9 million Canadians. While the number of reported injuries was low, ongoing surveillance helps assess the effectiveness of current risk management approaches for laser products.

Keywords

laser, handheld, pointers, eye injury, skin injury.

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202100800002-eng

Findings

Handheld lasers include devices such as laser pointers that are widely available for demonstration and entertainment purposes and intended for directing attention to an object or place. These devices are often battery powered, portable, handheld, and available in various emission wavelengths and power outputs (e.g., colour and intensity). In this study, handheld laser devices include pointers for presentations, laser tag, toys or novelty lasers, laser torches or flashlights, and search-and-rescue lasers. Handheld lasers and laser pointers are becoming increasingly available in the Canadian marketplace and are—therefore—more accessible to the public for use. High-powered consumer handheld lasers have been identified as a danger to human health and safety. Surveillance of injuries from handheld laser products was undertaken by Health Canada to assess the effectiveness of current approaches for managing the health risks of these products. [Full article]

Authors

Sami S. Qutob (sami.qutob@canada.ca) and James P. McNamee (james.mcnamee@canada.ca) are with the Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Non-ionizing Radiation Health Sciences Division, and Orly Brion (orly.brion@canada.ca) is with the Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Population Studies Division at Health Canada. John Than (john.than2@canada.ca) is with the Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch, Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada.

Source of Funding

This study was funded entirely by the Government of Canada.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

 

What is already known on this subject?

  • According to the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60825-1, laser products are categorized in the following order (from lowest to highest potential risk) according to their accessible radiation properties: classes 1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B and 4.
  • Exposure to a direct or reflected high-powered (Class 3B or Class 4) laser beam has the potential to cause serious eye or skin damage and may also pose a burn hazard. To help reduce potential health risks, battery-powered handheld lasers and laser pointers should be Class 3R/IIIa or less (which usually have a power output of 5mW or less).
  • Children and teens are at a higher risk of injury because of a lack of knowledge of the risks posed by laser devices and how to handle these devices safely.

What does this study add?

  • This survey finds that an estimated 3.9 million Canadians use or are exposed to handheld lasers (e.g., pointers for presentations; laser tag, laser toys or novelty lasers; laser torches or flashlights; and search-and-rescue lasers). The majority of the handheld laser product types used or exposed to were laser pointers.
  • Approximately one-quarter of users of or those exposed to handheld lasers had either intentionally directed the beam at their own eyes or skin or had this done to them by someone else.
  • Among Canadians who use handheld laser devices, an estimated 0.7%E had injury or discomfort to their eyes or skin.
  • Because of a higher prevalence of the use of handheld laser devices or exposure to their emitted light by males and youth, these groups may be at a higher risk for handheld laser-induced injury.
  • Most laser devices were not purchased but rather acquired by some other undisclosed means, followed by purchase from a retail store in Canada, then by a small fraction obtaining these devices online.

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