Posted on 12/01/2011 8:18:17 AM PST by KeyLargo
EU bans full-body X-ray scanners due to health concerns
Nov 16, 2011 1:30 PM
Full-body scanners that use X-ray technology for security screening purposes will be banned at Europe's airports because of radiation risks and concerns, said the European Union (EU) on Monday.
The scanners screen airline passengers for hidden explosive devices, hundreds of which were installed at airports across the United States after the failed Christmas Day attack in 2009 by the so-called "underwear bomber." Soon after the new full-body X-ray machines were unveiled, concerns were raised over the possible levels of radiation exposure during airport security checks.
Instead of the full-body X-ray scanners, airports in Europe will rely on an alternative body scanner that uses radio frequency waves, known as a millimeter wave machine, which are also used in the U.S. The millimeter wave machines use electromagnetic waves to create an image of the body, while the full-body scans beam low-energy X-rays to produce a picture.
The U.S. government has stated that the radiation emitted from those devices is minimal, equal to the natural exposure during 2 minutes of flying, though some research suggests it's higher. Last year, a paper published in the journal Employee Responsibilities and Rights, noted that frequent airline travelers face an increased risk of radiation even without the X-ray airport scanners.
Because the full-body machines use low-energy X-rays, most of the radiation is absorbed by the skin and doesn't penetrate the body, as medical X-rays do. But some experts think that could raise the risk of skin cancer or sperm mutations, especially in frequent flyers.
Interesting, yet our agency is saying full speed ahead plus if you are traveling at Christmas do not wrap and gifts as they will all be opened, even in checked bags. I guess our xray machines can’t see through paper.
hey finally something the EU has done that I can support. Of course the EU is probably going to collapse soon so it doesn’t matter.
it could be that repeated pass through’s could cause problems.
EU doesn’t have the $$$ to pay for them....most likely
Plus... with single payer healthcare.. If there is a problem. they get to pay again.
As long as they have the US Taxpayer to fund them through the IMF, they won't collapse.
Wonder what TSA will do with it’s employees when their jaws actually start falling off with excessive X-ray exposure? Maybe ObaMao will use his magic wand and heal them.
Beat me to it. Until the TSA and their union starts hitting the litigation bonanza they will ignore the problem.
and no one on the planet will likely sell Michael Chertoff a personal liability policy.
I recently opted out of the nuke scanner at PHX, and they had me bypass even the ordinary magnetometer.
I could have had a metal object concealed in a cavity.
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