Dear colleges: I believe that it is incumbent on everyone using Thermal Ablative Lasers to understand that the smoke generated from these lasers contain up to 95 % steam and up to 5% solid particulate matter. Any laser that reaches a temperature above the “Tissue Necrosis” threshold and causes ablation or smoke (Nd:YAG lasers, CO2 Lasers, Erbium Lasers, many Diode Lasers) can be a hazard. Depending on the type of laser used, energy application, and pulse duration, the vapor from laser treatment can contain particles measuring 100X smaller than generated from drills, at only 0.3 µm (1µm = 1/1000th of a mm) making them even more dangerous.
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Potential Laser Plume Danger to Doctor, Patient and Personnel with thermal ablative lasers
