# Airport scanners **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [November 5, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570 "2010-11-05T13:24:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kerchak\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@Mr.Kerchak\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kerchak_1)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/1 "2010-11-05T13:24:34Z")
**[Is radiation from the new airport security scanners endangering my health?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2966/is-radiation-from-the-new-airport-security-scanners-endangering-my-health)** The revolution has begun (I hope)… [Pilot refuses scan](http://jalopnik.com/5667056/how-a-pilot-refused-a-full-body-scan-and-now-may-lose-his-job) ---
**Author:** ![challkhmc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@challkhmc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/challkhmc)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/2 "2010-11-05T13:37:58Z")
Is radiation from the new airport security scanners endangering my health? I wish your excellent article on airport scanning devices had reported how many actual terrorist threats these intrusive machines have successfully unveiled. ---
**Author:** ![Ducklady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cab0a1/32.png) [@Ducklady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ducklady)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/3 "2010-11-05T13:40:43Z")
The operative word here is “rushed,” as in “rushed into service by TSA.” I grew up in a time when we were assured sticking our feet into X-ray machines in a shoe store to check the fit of a pair of shoes–especially handy for small children–was perfectly safe. It may seem quaint today, but let me assure you those experts sounded pretty much the same as they do now. Common sense tells me not to take the word of anyone about exposing myself to radiation on the say-so of a government whose corruption and dedication to pandering to those who fill their trough is well known. As for “you are exposed to far more rays when you do X,” I’d say that’s all the more reason to limit further exposure. Especially unnecessary exposure, which is what this is. Why should I expose my one body to a scintilla of radiation merely so some large corporation can make money? I won’t bother with the privacy issue. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/4 "2010-11-05T15:37:13Z")
MODERATOR’S FOOTNOTE: I’ve merged two threads, one started by **Mr. Kerchak** and the other by **challkhmc** , both with the same title, just so we’ve got one thread on this rather than many. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/5 "2010-11-05T16:22:09Z")
There is certainly an argument for not rushing these machines into widespread use before any long-term health effects have been thoroughly studied, or perhaps for simply using the less harmful millimeter-wave scanners exclusively. But as to the privacy aspect, take a look at the images in **Mr.Kerchak** ’s link. _That_’s the “invasion of privacy” everybody is so worked up about? I rarely use this phrase, but if you’re really that upset about a stranger in another room looking at this featureless white outline of your body, you need to get over yourself. And frankly, that pilot comes across as kind of a dick. ---
**Author:** ![oceansong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9de0a6/32.png) [@oceansong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oceansong)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/6 "2010-11-05T19:16:33Z")
Whether your concern is for the possible health problems or for the invasion of privacy, you can refuse to go thru the scanner. When you “Opt Out” - someone will do a pat-down instead. Personally, I prefer this to the possible health problems, and to the possibility of someone looking at my naked body with their scanner (and potentially taking a picture). For more info - check this article by Mike Adams: > **[How to opt out of the TSA's naked body scanners at the airport](https://www.naturalnews.com/030100_naked_body_scanners_airport.html)** > > How to opt out of the TSA's naked body scanners at the airport ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/7 "2010-11-05T19:23:51Z")
Obligatory link–[Zapped by TSA](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2966/is-radiation-from-the-new-airport-security-scanners-endangering-my-health) Could be worse. In Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, the monitor was there for all to see once you stepped out of the scanner. In terms of privacy, there was none–and if your overweight, the machine will make you quite cognizant of that fact–woman, beware. But was the privacy that big a deal? Invariably, it was always a hot looking, blond [maybe to distract teh terrorist?] Russian security agent who performed the screening via the monitor. Her facial expression and body English, so-to-speak, suggested that she was far more interesting in the next break, rather than ogling my hot-body, or someone smuggling Fruit-of-the-Boom underwear. I’m guessing the Russians implemented these machines after [the Russian aircraft bombings in 2004](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Russian_aircraft_bombings). Radiation wise, I’m not concerned. A single chest X-ray is going blow the doors off any dosage from a hundred X-ray backscatter (I’d gladly trade exposures in my case). On a separate note: I have heard it argued several years ago that asking for your ID at the airline ticket counter is legal for an airliner, but not for TSA. Anyone know the legalities? And yet another tangent: While you could place bombs in body cavities, you still have the problem of attenuating the explosion. My crappy analogy involves people throwing themselves on grenades. Apparently, that has some efficacy in attenuating the explosion. Why not teh terrorist? Is it the yield part that I misunderstand? Per **oceansong** ’s article . . . > [@](#): > > First the naked body scanners, and then the flu shot propaganda. It reminded me that the U.S. government really is trying to push people into self-destructive behaviors that will ultimately benefit the sick-care industry. After all, the more cancer and Alzheimer’s disease people develop (from radiation and vaccines, of course), the more business gets generated for Big Pharma. Uh huh. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/8 "2010-11-05T19:32:57Z")
> [@oceansong](#): > > For more info - check this article by Mike Adams: > [How to opt out of the TSA's naked body scanners at the airport - NaturalNews.com](http://www.naturalnews.com/030100_naked_body_scanners_airport.html) > [@](#): > > Speaking of the naked body scanners, as I was having my crotch swept by the back of the hand of this TSA agent, I was observing other air travelers subjecting themselves to the naked body scanners. They were told to walk into the body scanner staging area and then hold their arms in the air in a pose as if they were under arrest. They were told to freeze in this position for several seconds (perhaps 10 seconds) during which they were being blasted with ionizing radiation that we all know contributes to cancer. What a bunch of paranoid alarmist crap, with a healthy dose of hot-button language (“naked body scanners”, “as if they were under arrest” and so forth). I couldn’t even make it to the end of this bullshit article. ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/9 "2010-11-05T20:31:54Z")
> [@oceansong](#): > > Whether your concern is for the possible health problems or for the invasion of privacy, you can refuse to go thru the scanner. Here’s another story about the harrassment you get when you “opt out,” this one from the NYTimes, if the Natural News article isn’t mainstream enough. > **[Opt Out of a Body Scan? Then Brace Yourself (Published 2010)](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/business/02road.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=TSA&st=cse)** > > The T.S.A. says travelers can opt out of “advanced imaging technology” scans. But such fliers are subject to a physical pat-down, and sometimes outbursts. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/10 "2010-11-05T21:31:02Z")
My thought process in the KIAD security line is as follows: Flight leaves in 30 minutes . . . Did I stick my ticket and driver’s license in the left shirt pocket or in my pants pocket? First security check: Please, please stamp my ticket so I can get into that new scanner line that just opened up. How long is this going to take? Will anybody see the hole my left sock? Crud, someone took the last bucket–should I jump into another scanner line? I wonder how much booze I can throw down my gullet before they keep me off the plane? Dang, there’s no place to sit to put my shoes on. Why are they re-zapping my bucket again? Oh, that’s someone else’s. Okay, time to jump on the moon buggie. The last thing on my mind is asserting my 4th and 5th Amendment rights. Originally posted by **Humble Servant** > [@](#): > > . . .if the Natural News article isn’t mainstream enough . . . Boy, you can say that again! I read Mike Adam’s highly esteemed [bio](http://www.healthranger.org/bio.html) so you wouldn’t have to. (Is the Perfect Master willing to disavow any relation with this guy?) In summary: > [@](#): > > Mike began his mission as the Health Ranger as a response to his own failing health. At the age of 30, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a disease brought on by poor diet and severe lack of exercise. As a high-powered software executive, extreme levels of stress and cholesterol, depression and chronic back pain were common features of Mike’s past. Followed by the self-congratulating verbiage, he becomes a born-again naturopath and through the power of self-contradiction… > [@](#): > > He cured himself of diabetes in a matter of months and transformed himself into _the picture of perfect health in mind, body and spirit._ Uh huh. ---
**Author:** ![HawksPath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f07891/32.png) [@HawksPath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HawksPath)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/11 "2010-11-05T22:04:31Z")
I’m just here to say it seems like it’s just a matter of time before those x-ray specs are real. When everyone has naked pictures of everyone what will privacy be? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/12 "2010-11-06T01:21:44Z")
It was back in college. She dared me. Oh, sweet Gamma Ray Lipshitz. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/13 "2010-11-06T02:26:18Z")
> [@Mr.Kerchak](#): > > **[Is radiation from the new airport security scanners endangering my health?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2966/is-radiation-from-the-new-airport-security-scanners-endangering-my-health)** > > The revolution has begun (I hope)… > [Pilot refuses scan](http://jalopnik.com/5667056/how-a-pilot-refused-a-full-body-scan-and-now-may-lose-his-job) Are they afraid the pilots going to take over the plane? ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/14 "2010-11-06T04:07:39Z")
Sooo, this last summer I heard some talk of this on public radio, and they were talking about a company that’s going to market little pasties for the squeamish. Appearantly you can get blank ones or with little messages for the scanning crew, this of course led to jockular speculation on wha twould be popular messages, things like **You have to buy me dinner first** , and my personal favorite, **Ask me about my grandkids**. ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/15 "2010-11-06T04:52:37Z")
For the purposes of illustration only, the following images give an idea how intrusive these scanners could be. Given the ridiculous number of weapons these people are carrying, I am assuming these are demos originated with the TSA or the scanner manufacturere, and the subjects gav their consent to release the pictures. Needless to say, these are borderline NSFW: [Millimeter scan male](http://osaka.law.miami.edu/~froomkin/articles/pic_body02lg.jpg) [Millimeter scan female](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V7lJdZi_T9A/SNwPtHK_eGI/AAAAAAAAGyY/3PA7_3tvMeI/s1600-h/millimeter-wave-scanner.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/16 "2010-11-06T04:54:19Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > Sooo, this last summer I heard some talk of this on public radio, and they were talking about a company that’s going to market little pasties for the squeamish. Appearantly you can get blank ones or with little messages for the scanning crew, this of course led to jockular speculation on wha twould be popular messages, things like > > **You have to buy me dinner first** , and my personal favorite, **Ask me about my grandkids**. The TSA aren’t going to just let someone through who has blocked areas showing up on a scanner. All they’ll do is just take you over to the “opt out” section and give you the Gitmo-level pat-down every time. Save your money and don’t bother to buy the underoos. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/17 "2010-11-06T05:57:41Z")
Thank you **CJJ** \* > [@user\_hostile](#): > > . . . and if your overweight, the machine will make you quite cognizant of that fact–woman, beware. Cite: [Millimeter scan female](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V7lJdZi_T9A/SNwPtHK_eGI/AAAAAAAAGyY/3PA7_3tvMeI/s1600-h/millimeter-wave-scanner.jpg) Well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/18 "2010-11-06T10:48:55Z")
We’ve seen the same nearly featureless backscatter images for many months now [and discussed it in other threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12777233) and I continue to say that they are shocking only in that they are unusual, not because they stimulate prurient fascination. ---
**Author:** ![JWT\_Kottekoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JWT\_Kottekoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWT_Kottekoe)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/19 "2010-11-07T05:01:52Z")
The pictures linked above as millimeter wave images are actually X-ray backscatter images, which, contrary to Cecil’s answer, give more detail than the millimeter wave images. The one labeled [Millimeter scan female](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V7lJdZi_T9A/SNwPtHK_eGI/AAAAAAAAGyY/3PA7_3tvMeI/s1600-h/millimeter-wave-scanner.jpg) is a picture of Dr. Susan Hallowel of the TSA. Millimeter wave images make people look like a metal statue with a mirror-like finish, because of the strong specular reflection of millimeter waves off our bodies. They are inherently low resolution because of the relatively large wavelength (~ 1 cm) of the radiation. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570/20 "2010-11-07T05:07:04Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > We’ve seen the same nearly featureless backscatter images for many months now [and discussed it in other threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12777233) and I continue to say that they are shocking only in that they are unusual, not because they stimulate prurient fascination. Oooo! I like the way you say “_stimulate prurient fascination_”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-scanners/559570.md?page=2)