Where can I find information on the safety of the full body scanners?

[tavalon]

These don't seem to be in a different category from CT and MRI scanners (yes, they use different frequencies, but they still would seem to need safety date equivalent to a medical device). I did a quick look on the internet and it doesn't seem like adequate safety evaluations have been done. I'm just wondering if anyone else has found more information than I have?

[Moochy]

1. Ultra Low Dose X-Ray

http://www.rapiscansystems.com/rapiscan-secure-1000.html

The Rapiscan Secure 1000’s patented technology is composed of an ultra low-dose X-ray source that images backscattered X-rays through to a remote operator’s workstation. Using the Secure 1000’s imaging capability your security screeners will be able to detect concealed objects without direct contact. With the built in software filter, the operator does not see the identity of the person being screened. The Raspiscan Secure 1000 provides the most effective people screening to eliminate risk from any concealed threat.

also
http://epic.org/privacy/surveillance/spotlight/0605/rapiscan.pdf

[tavalon]

4. That is one of the technologies

There is another one.

Here is a nifty little tidbit from their website. I mistook this as their safety certification but I went to the website and was swiftly disabused of that notion:

Certifications

* The United States Department of Homeland Security has certified the Rapiscan Secure 1000 as an approved product for homeland security. Please visit www.safetyact.gov for more information.

[Moochy]

8. 200 scans for one mrem?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscatter_X-ray#Health_effects

Health effects

Some people are concerned with exposure to radiation emitted by backscatter X-rays. At airports, lead vests are not used and people fear being exposed to "dangerous level of radiation if they get backscattered too often."<8> Safety regulations and standards like ANSI N43.17 (see below) that govern the use of these systems and that are recognized by the HPS, FDA and Various US Government Agencies may indicate that these concerns are not be warranted.

The Health Physics Society (HPS) reports that a person undergoing a backscatter scan receives approximately 0.005 millirems of radiation; American Science and Engineering Inc. reports 0.009 mrems.<8> According to U.S. regulatory agencies, "1 mrem per year is a negligible dose of radiation, and 25 mrem per year from a single source is the upper limit of safe radiation exposure".<8>

[Ian David]

2. Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CX9Agzeh-c

[Journeyman]

3. First we were told they couldn't save images. . .

now we're told they'll both save the images and have the capability to transmit them.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7443078

So, good luck with whatever information you find. It won't be of any use and I'm sure it'll change in short order.

You may not remember, but in the '50s we were told that x-rays were a safe and accurate way to fit shoes.

Oh, yeah -- my cynicism has deep roots.

http://www.museumofquackery.com/devices/shoexray.htm

[tavalon]

5. I was born in the sixties,

but I remember being told about that. I even know about Pink's disease, caused by using a mercury based mouth soother for baby teething pain. Whoops! And so on...........

I'm very concerned that these scanners are not being subjected to as rigorous a safety evaluation as any medical scanner would be.

[Journeyman]

6. Oh, I agree. Fear of the boogie man is overriding legitimate concern for personal safety . . .

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[doc03]

9. According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CNN a person

is exposed to more background radiation on the flight than any scanner.

[tavalon]

10. I trust him like I would trust a hole in my head

Sorry, he doesn't have street cred with me.

[doc03]

11. I don't know the guy he never did anything to me,

he is a doctor I assume he knows what he is talking about.

[tavalon]

12. He seems to be a doctor in the way Dr. Phil is a doctor

I know he has his medical degree but TV just seems to agree with him so much more than that doctorin' stuff.

[HopeHoops]

13. I'm sure the TSA has a LOT of information on how safe they are.

They can be trusted to be completely honest about the risks.

:sarcasm: