Body scanner

As a result of the recent event in US, many Western countries are contemplating the use of full-body scanners on passengers to improve airport security. These machines are used to see under clothes and to identify unusual objects. Many people have objected to their use because of privacy issues. For some there is the worry of health implications if one is scanned too often.

There are 2 types of machines being used: the millimetre wavelength imaging scanner which beams radio waves over the body to create a 3-dimensional image and the backscatter X-ray scanner which uses low dose radiation to create a 2-sided image. The backscatter scanner will expose individuals to ionizing radiation, similar to that found in medical X-rays. While the average chest X-ray delivers 100 microseverts of radiation, the typical backscatter scanner delivers 0.1 microsevert of radiation. Thus, it is logical to conclude that such low level of radiation exposure would not be of great concern.

Would repeated, regular low dose radiation exposure over a prolonged period of time have health implications? This may be relevant to frequent travellers in the course of their work. What about the security staff who are manning the machine on a regular basis? No one has an answer to this.

Some have advocated that all passengers should be scanned while others have suggested using the scanner on selected passengers. We will have to wait and see which policy will finally be adopted. I have no doubt that the use of scanners will be implemented.

Personally, I have adopted the policy of travelling only when necessary and I choose my destination with more care than before. This helps to give me peace of mind and the feeling of staying safe or safer.