Airport Security: Full-Body X-Ray and Millimeter Wave Scanners
“Health Risks of Airport Security Full-Body X-ray Screening Systems”
https://ehtrust.org/health-risks-airport-security-full-body-x-ray-screening-systems/
Note: Portions of this page, including descriptions of screening systems and doctors’ warnings, are reproduced from the EHTrust report. EM Radiation Research Trust provides additional commentary and recommendations.
Airports use two types of full-body screening systems:
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Backscatter X-ray scanners
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Millimeter wave scanners
When full-body X-ray screening systems were introduced for airport security, many medical doctors and scientists raised serious concerns about radiation exposure and potential health risks. Following years of public and professional debate, these X-ray–based systems have largely been phased out and replaced with millimeter wave scanners.
Below are doctors’ letters and documented health concerns relating to airport full-body screening technologies.
Doctors’ Warnings on X-Ray Airport Scanners
In 2011, doctors responded to the introduction of airport full-body X-ray scanners with a letter stating:
“There is still no rigorous hard data for the safety of X-ray airport passenger scanners.”
The letter raised the following concerns:
“The problem remains that the safety of the X-ray airport scanners has not been independently verified… the Johns Hopkins report, which is the more detailed and significant because it refers to the widely deployed Single Pose system, does not hold to critical principles of scientific reporting…
There is no way to repeat any of these measurements… The tests were performed by the manufacturer using the manufacturer’s questionable test procedures…
The independent testing of the safety of these specific scanners has not been rigorous nor has it been held to the standards usually associated with new devices.”
The doctors further warned:
“…It is still unclear how much damage to cells occurs with low dose X-rays. One of the most important points in the ‘Red Flags’ section of our letter of April 2010 was that potential X-ray damage, primarily to skin cells and adjacent tissues, would lead to a ‘damage response’ by the cells.”
These concerns highlight the lack of independent, reproducible safety testing and the potential biological risks associated with repeated low-dose X-ray exposure.
Health Recommendations
Passengers concerned about radiation exposure are advised to opt out of full-body scanner screenings and instead request a pat-down and screening through a standard metal detector.
Please note: choosing this option may require allowing extra time when travelling.
Important Note on Millimeter Wave Scanners
Although newer millimeter wave systems use non-ionizing radiation, safety is not assured.
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Millimeter waves operate in the same frequency range proposed for 5G technology
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Long-term biological and health effects remain insufficiently studied
For these reasons, a precautionary approach is recommended.
👉 Continue reading the full report:
https://ehtrust.org/health-risks-airport-security-full-body-x-ray-screening-systems/