What are the health risks of these new scanners?

[KansDem]

I'd like to know what averse health risks have been identified regarding the new scanners.

Have they been tested? What is it about the radiation used that sets it apart from, say, a routine chest x-ray?

Any potential for problems with passengers who have health concerns?

[pnwmom]

1. Something I recently learned: there are 2 types of new scanners.

One, the backscatter, involves radiation. The second uses microwaves.

The industry person I know thinks the second is safe enough, but he'd choose a pat-down over the backscatter scan.

[KansDem]

3. "The second uses microwaves."

Are stints metallic, and if so how these would affect someone with stints? Wouldn't the microwaves cause them to heat up?

[pnwmom]

7. I'll ask -- and I'll try to get back to you. n/t

[KansDem]

9. Thanks!

:hi:

[sgsmith]

5. pnwmom is correct

MMW - millimeter microwave (I believe) - apparently doesn't have any known effects.
Backscatter X Ray - uses an allegedly low dose of x-rays that don't penetrate far into the body. When the X-rays are scattered back to the device (typically by non flesh objects) they can be used to identify foreign objects.

No one knows if the backscatter x rays are safe or not. Since they don't penetrate far into the body they're unlike the radiation you receive at a doctors office or when flying. Authorities say the exposure is low but they also seem to use whole body measurements when the dosage penetrates only skin deep.

The xray scanners can be identified because they're two flat panels that you walk between. The MMW device is more like a cylinder that you step into.

[pnwmom]

8. Thanks for more details, sgsmith. Do you happen to know why

if the microwave machines are probably safer, the TSA is using both types of scanners?

[thereismore]

10. Skin cancer is a concern. nt

[Matariki]

2. BurtWorm posted an excellent letter from Rep. Holt to TSA head Pistole

Worth the read. One of the points he makes is about the health issues:

In March, the Congressional Biomedical Caucus (of which I am a co-chair) hosted a presentation on this technology by TSA, as well as a briefing by Dr. David Brenner of Columbia University on the potential health effects of "back scatter" x-ray devices. As Dr. Brenner noted in his presentation and in subsequent media interviews, the devices currently in use and proposed for wider deployment this year currently deliver to the scalp "20 times the average dose that is typically quoted by TSA and throughout the industry."

Dr. Brenner has pointed out that the majority of the radiation from X-ray backscatter machines strikes the top of the head, which is where 85 percent of the 800,000 cases of basal cell carcinoma diagnosed in the United States each year develop. According to Dr. Brenner, excessive x-ray exposure can act as a cancer rate multiplier, which is why our government should investigate thoroughly the potential health risks associated with this technology.

(recommend reading the full letter: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9610064)

[KansDem]

4. Thanks!

:hi:

I'm flying on Wednesday, so I'll give this a thorough read...

[Alameda]

6. Interesting, and frightening! If the invasion of personal space and

privacy weren't enough, now we are being sprayed with who knows what? It's really unfortunate most people don't think too deeply about this. To top it off, it's not even effective at keeping us safe. It seems all it does is make some people a lot of dollars!

[Kennah]

11. The scanners pose a terrible risk

A lot of colon cancer suffers, who might otherwise have their disease detected by thorough and eager TSA medical staff, will unfortunately die because they choose the scanners.

It's very sad. I'm going to cry. I need to be held.