Claim Review: UV Laser Attack on Trump Rally Attendees

Claim Review: UV Laser Attack on Trump Rally Attendees

The claim that a recent attack on Trump rally attendees in Arizona was carried out using a handheld UV laser device, causing symptoms such as temporary loss of vision, sunburns, and skin peeling, has been circulating online. This article aims to review the scientific validity of this claim.

Understanding UV Lasers

UV lasers in the wavelengths of 280nm - 315nm are considered UV-B and are extremely dangerous to the human eye. High-intensity UV light can cause permanent retinal damage or blindness. However, the symptoms described in the claim, such as temporary loss of vision and skin peeling, are not consistent with the effects of UV-B exposure.

Scientific Evidence

According to scientific studies, UV-B exposure primarily causes sunburns and skin cancer, but the immediate effects are typically redness and pain, not skin peeling. Temporary loss of vision is more commonly associated with visible light lasers, not UV lasers. Additionally, UV lasers are not visible to the naked eye or night vision optics, making them difficult to detect, but their effects would be immediate and noticeable.

Technical Feasibility

The claim suggests that a handheld UV laser device could cause blindness from 500 yards or farther. While high-powered lasers can cause damage at long distances, the energy required to cause blindness from such a distance is not feasible with handheld devices. Moreover, aiming an invisible beam accurately over long distances is extremely challenging.

Protective Measures

The claim also mentions protective glasses and sunblock as effective measures against UV lasers. While sunglasses and sunblock can protect against general UV exposure, they are not designed to protect against high-intensity laser beams. Specialized protective glasses are available for specific wavelengths, but their effectiveness against a directed energy attack is limited.

Conclusion

Based on the available scientific evidence, the claim that a UV laser attack caused the described symptoms at a Trump rally is largely unfounded. The symptoms and technical details provided in the claim do not align with the known effects and capabilities of UV lasers. It is crucial to rely on scientifically verified information when assessing such claims.

For further reading on the effects of UV radiation, refer to studies from reliable sources such as the World Health Organization  and the National Center for Biotechnology Information .