Airport body scanners emit dangerous levels of radiation
June 13, 2012, 01:46 pm
According to a new independent analysis, the full-body scanners used at security checkpoints in airports expose passengers to dangerous levels of radiation.
The study was conducted by the Marquette University College of Engineering and showed that radiation from the scanners passes through the passengers' skin and reaches 29 different organs, including the heart and brain. Although the radiation levels are lower than an X-ray machine, they are still a cause for concern.
The college’s findings are going to be published in the upcoming issue of Medical Physics, a journal about research in medical physics from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
The study was based off TSA data, rather on the actual machines themselves, so some remain skeptical on the validity.
“We do not truly know the risk of this radiation exposure over multiple screenings, for frequent fliers, those in vulnerable groups or TSA’s own employees operating the machines,” said Senator Susan Collins, a ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
A recent study showed that more than 66 percent of Americans were satisfied with airport security, up from 6 percent last year. For those pilots meeting the upcoming demand of the flying season, pilot life insurance will help with peace of mind while in the air, no matter how satisfying the security.
Are you covered? Are you overpaying? Find out! Get a Quote Now!
| 
