Airport Full Body Scanners: A Safe Passage for Travelers

The Verdict on Radiation Exposure

Recent evaluations have provided reassurance to travelers about the safety of full body scanners at airports. According to the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General, a passenger would need to undergo approximately 17,000 scans within a year to reach the threshold of the annual radiation dose limit recognized by the scientific community. This translates to an unlikely scenario where a passenger is scanned more than 47 times daily throughout the year, which is far beyond the average traveler's experience.

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented a robust monitoring program to ensure that full body scanners operate within safe radiation levels. These scanners, which include backscatter X-ray machines, are subject to biannual inspections and additional checks whenever they are moved or undergo maintenance. Currently, 247 backscatter X-ray machines are in operation at 39 U.S. airports.

The Inspector General's report, which addressed concerns about these machines, found no incidents of accidental radiation overdoses. However, it did suggest that operators of backscatter scanners should receive more comprehensive training, a recommendation with which the TSA agrees.

Interesting Statistics and Facts

While the conversation around full body scanners often revolves around their safety, there are other interesting aspects that are less frequently discussed:

• The average dose of radiation received from a single scan by a full body scanner is about 0.1 microsieverts, which is equivalent to the radiation received during two minutes of flight at cruising altitude. For comparison, a dental X-ray exposes a patient to roughly 5,000 microsieverts of radiation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• The TSA has reported that full body scanners have detected over 3,000 firearms in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country in 2021, showcasing their effectiveness in enhancing airport security. Transportation Security Administration
• Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners, which include millimeter wave scanners, are now more commonly used than backscatter X-ray machines. These AIT scanners use non-ionizing radiofrequency energy, which does not have enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms and does not pose known health risks. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

In conclusion, the evidence supports the safety of airport full body scanners, with rigorous checks and balances in place to maintain their safe operation. Travelers can feel reassured that the technology designed to keep them safe during their journeys does not compromise their health.