Laser-induced injury of the skin: validation of a computer model to predict thresholds

Abstract

The exposure and emission limits of ICNIRP, IEC 60825-1 and ANSI Z136.1 to protect the skin are based on a limited number of in-vivo studies. To broaden the database, a computer model was developed to predict injury thresholds in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 20 µm and was validated by comparison with all applicable experimental threshold data (ED 50 ) in the wavelength range from 488 nm to 10.6 µm and exposure durations between 8 µs and 630 s. The model predictions compare favorably with the in-vivo data with an average ratio of computer prediction to ED 50 of 1.01 (standard deviation ± 46%) and a maximum deviation of 2.6. This computer model can be used to improve exposure limits or for a quantitative risk analysis of a given exposure of the skin.