TSA to retest body scanners for radiation.

I know some of you are tired of stories about TSA, but this times it’s different.

The TSA has ordered the retesting of every body scanning machine around the country after maintenance records showed some of the machines emittd 10 times the amount of radiation expected.

The TSA believes that the higher readings are mistakes but is still going retest anway. They assure everyone that even at the higher numbers the machines are safe

I wonder if it was the glowing passengers that gave it away? 

I’ll wait until the test results come back to make my decision. 

Slate Magazine

(Frank II)

Comments

[Maggie]

Ha! This is the exact reason I gave a friend supporting my reason to "opt out" of the scanners. I work in the nuclear industry so I'm not radiation-phobic. And yep - I know that you get way more radiation flying coast-to-coast than one of these scanners. BUT the scanners are designed to concentrate radiation in the first few millimeters of skin. Skin cancer runs in my family and I've had a brush with it. I want more data about the cumulative affect of these scanners before I expose my skin to the process. I also wonder about the affect on the eyes which are very sensitive to radiation. For those of you who go through - I recommend that you close your eyes.

Furthermore, I don't trust the airports to properly maintain equipment. Before I switched to a digital camera I always handed my film around the x-ray machine. Every once in awhile I'd get flack that the x-ray was safe for film and I should put it through. I had 100 ASA film severely fogged twice - evidence that their equipment was improperly adjusted. I don't really care if they are scanning my suitcase and shoes - but I do care when they are scanning me.

As a scientist - I want to see more data first (and in a properly refereed scientific journal). I get the impression that this technology was fast tracked (read "short cuts"). I wouldn't be surprised if there was a deal between who makes this equipment and the politicians that pushed this through. Perhaps I'm just getting too cynical.

Thanks for posting this!

[Frank II]

Maggie...are you so cynical to think deals are made. Just because former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who first introduced these machines, now runs a consulting agency representing the manufacturers of these machines doesn't mean there's something improper going on.

Next you'll be telling me that Japan is prone to earthquakes.

[Austin]

Some technical background (and potential dangers) related to backscatter scanners:

http://myhelicaltryst.blogspot.com/2010/11/tsa-x-ray-backscatter-body-scanner.html

[Betsey]

I went through the scanner last year. The line was so fast that I didn't feel any opportunity to opt out, and certainly no indication from the TSA agents on duty that I could even do that. How about a post? How do travelers politely and correctly opt out of the scanning?

ps: It's a personal opinion, but I think the Slate Magazine picture could have stayed on Slate Magazine web site. Anyway, this blog post is about radiation and the scanners, not scanners and improper agent use of the machines.

[Maggie]

Austin - thanks for the link. One of the comments by "Krelnik" was interesting - that majority of the scanners are the millimeter wave technology versus backscatter x-ray type. The majority of the scanners I've seen were indeed the millimeter wave technology models.

So Betsy - they have pictures of each at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/ait_fact_sheet.pdf so you'll know whether to bother to opt out. I was surprised about TSA employees not being monitored. They totally wouldn't allow that where I work.

Betsy, I haven't a need for opting out because the airports I travel through don't have 100% scanner coverage. I know from personal experience or from fellow travelers which lines have the body scanners and I avoid them - so far I've been successful. For opting out, I have a simple speech prepared "I respectively opt out of the body scanner for medical reasons." As you, I would like to hear what others do. I always am very courteous with TSA - I don't envy their job and they don't make the rules. They are usually very courteous as well. One of the most important things I take with me is my sense of humor. I especially have to when I travel with my husband who has 2.5 pounds of metal in one of his legs.

My hope is that there will be a continuing challenge and push back on the backscatter x-ray scanner equipment and that the TSA will eliminate them. I thought the TSA was union represented - they should insist on monitoring their employees. That will be expensive and should be another reason for the TSA to dump the x-ray models.

Please note that I'm not saying the technology is safe or un-safe - just that in my opinion the jury is still out on the long term risks and I don't trust the TSA to keep the equipment in calibration. I'll re-assess my opinion in a couple years. I liken it to prescription drugs that are deemed safe and then pulled off the market in a year or two. I'll take a wait and see attitude.

[Betsey]

Hi again, my experience with a scanner was last spring in Boston. The Millimeter Wave AIT is what looks familiar.

I really don't remember seeing anything but one line through security, so if opt out were allowed it was not apparent to an infrequent flyer. Now, to read one Boston blog, dated last fall, traveling through Boston doesn't have much choice at all, reporting on even those asking for an alternative getting forced through: http://boston.com/community/blogs/on_liberty/2010/09/tsa_and_the_audacity_of_grope.html

[Betsey]

Hmm, Massport seems to indicate there's an opt out possibility for Boston. I shall definitely "pack" good humor along with my carry-on for my next trip. http://www.massport.com/logan-airport/Pages/SecurityInformation.aspx

[Austin]

You absolutely have the right to choose a pat down. Here is a pdf listing your rights - copy it and carry it with you:

http://saizai.com/tsa_rights.pdf

[Austin]

As for the actual effectiveness of backscatter units, this research suggests not so much:

http://springerlink.com/content/g6620thk08679160/

[Elizabeth]

Betsy,

I fly through BOS a lot since I travel about 80% for work. I opt out every time when I am chosen at BOS (which happens probably 90% of the time). I just tell them I opt out and I make sure I don't put my things through the x-ray machine until I know where I'll be directed. Theft of personal belongings is a real problem at these checkpoints and the TSA website tells flyers to keep our eyes on our belongings.

That's really the only time I've gotten crap from TSA but too bad. I need to see my things and I will ask for a supervisor if I cannot and the clerk is being rude or power trippy.

So yes, you can opt out every time at BOS. It's not their business why you, no reason needs to be given.

Happy flying!