Are Our Thermometers Reliable?
- Posted by CERC India
- Posted in Pharmaceuticals
We tested 32 samples of 21 brands of thermometers. Three of these were of the enclosed scale type where the readings are marked on a card placed within the thermometer, 14 were of the solid stem type where the readings are marked on the glass itself and 4 were of the digital type in which the temperature is shown electronically. The enclosed scale and solid stem thermometers were tested according to the appropriate Indian Standards (IS). Since the IS does not cover digital thermometers, they were tested for accurate temperature and marking-packing based on the method for the solid stem thermometer.
July-August 2000
KEY FINDINGS
21 brands Tested
We tested 32 samples of 21 brands of thermometers. Three of these were of the enclosed scale type where the readings are marked on a card placed within the thermometer, 14 were of the solid stem type where the readings are marked on the glass itself and 4 were of the digital type in which the temperature is shown electronically. The enclosed scale and solid stem thermometers were tested according to the appropriate Indian Standards (IS). Since the IS does not cover digital thermometers, they were tested for accurate temperature and marking-packing based on the method for the solid stem thermometer.
- None of the enclosed scale and solid stem thermometer brands conformed to the test for accurate temperature. Among the digital thermometers, Becton-Dickinson, Becton-Dickinson (flexible) and Microcare brands showed inaccurate temperatures. Only Omron, the digital thermometer showed accurate temperature. At higher temperatures, a greater number of samples did not conform in most brands.
- None of the enclosed scale or solid stem thermometer brands showed the correct temperature within the stipulated time.
- Hicks (Oval) and Safety among the enclosed scale thermometers and Angel, Animex exacta, Doctor (Deluxe 999), Doctor (Original), Swan’s Doctor, Enbee Super, Hicks Akutem, Kaushal, NIK, Thermomate and Wertheim among the solid stem type did not have the correct dimensions.
- 11 brands of the solid stem thermometer – Angel, Animex exacta, Doctor (Deluxe 999), Swan’s Doctor, Hicks Akutem, Hicks Dumark, Jintan, Kaushal, SMIC, Thermomate and Wertheim – did not have the correct measurements.
- The constriction above the bulb that restricts movement of mercury did not function properly in all the enclosed scale and solid stem thermometer brands.
- None of the thermometers conformed to the standards of markings. Illustratively, the enclosed scale and solid stem thermometers (except Enbee Super) did not carry the code for batch of manufacturing.
- Digital thermometers are very expensive, costing well above Rs.250, Becton Dickinson (flexible) being priced the highest at Rs.300.
- Among the enclosed scale thermometers, Safety was priced the highest at Rs.55 and Hemaflo the least expensive at Rs.40.
- The prices of solid stem thermometers ranged from Rs.26.50 of Kaushal to Rs.35 of Thermomate
