The US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on Thursday about thermal imaging systems used to measure body temperature during a pandemic.
Scanners, also called thermal chambers and “fever chambers”, are commonly used in the hallways of workplaces, schools and businesses as a quick, non-contact way to check body temperature.
However, officials said the scanners may provide inaccurate readings, and the FDA has issued several warning letters to some companies that sell “unapproved, unapproved and unauthorized” thermal imaging systems, including Certify Global Inc., Kogniz Inc. Opgal Optronic Industries Ltd and Thermavis.
The scanner, which looks like a smartphone, reads the temperature of a person’s skin surface in a few seconds as they approach it. If a person’s temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, they are considered symptomatic.
When the device is designed and used correctly, it can be accurate, the FDA said. But even some authorized systems have produced inaccurate readings, which can be harmful if someone with a fever is not alerted.
“These risks are more likely to be present where thermal imaging systems scan multiple individuals simultaneously,” the FDA said.
The FDA will work to provide users with information about scanners and encourages people to continue wearing face masks, social distancing and maintaining hand hygiene. Stay home if you feel unwell and consider taking the temperature with a thermometer before leaving home.