The TSA has started to remove x-ray machines, known as Backscatters, from some larger U.S. airports. They will be replaced by millimeter wave machines.
The x-ray machines came under fire because they not only emitted radiation, which at high doses can cause health problems, but also because they displayed a “nude” image of the passenger being screened.
The newer machines are deemed safer than the x-ray and produce a cartoon like image of the passenger rather than a nude photo.
The TSA says the reason the change is occurring is that the newer machines can process people faster and that will shorten wait time.
The x-ray machines removed from the larger airports are being redeployed to smaller ones.
Don’t think the TSA is ruling out x-ray backscatter technology. Recently, it awarded three new contracts for newer model machines, one of which uses the backscatter technology.
Did I mention that the European Union has banned this type of machine because of health concerns?