Airport X-ray Machines Are Still A Health Hazard!

X-ray airport scanners.
You know those "backscatter" full-body X-ray machines at airport security gates? Europe banned them several months ago because of health concerns, but the machines are still in use in some airports in the States. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says the amount of radiation emitted by each scan is minuscule, but independent research suggests the dose to some parts of the body is at least 45 times higher than the TSA claims and may even increase cancer risk, particularly for the elderly and women predisposed to breast cancer. Since you're already going to be exposed to radiation by flying, avoid the extra rays and ask for a pat-down, says John Sedat, Ph.D., a professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco.

Could this be true?

Word has it that the TSA is looking into getting dosimeter badges for the workforce. Of course, they are still sticking to their claims of, "there is no risk to the public or the workforce."

But, to alleviate the concerns of the workforce, they appear to be relenting on the issue of supplying these radiation detection badges.

http://news.slashdot.org/story/12/01/07/0214240/tsa-interested-in-purchasing-dosimeters

And The Fight Goes On!

The list of Doctor's and Scientist's against the use of body scanners keeps growing. In an article published yesterday in the SunSentinel, the head of radiology at Florida Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, a Dr. Edward Dauer, focused on specific areas of the body that could be particularly susceptible to these x-rays.

And yet, the TSA seems to be still be refusing to acknowledge what anyone, aside from their own biased sources, has to say about the safety of these machines.

When will they concede to the obvious? These machines are a health threat!

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-12-25/news/fl-tsa-scanner-concern-20111223_1_body-scanners-backscatter-machines-millimeter-wave-scanners

Why Is The TSA Still Insisting....

that there is no danger from the airport body scanners?

The European Commission has ban the use of these machines and this decision affects every airport in Europe.

A recent PBS Newshour/ProPublica report, stated: "Research suggests that anywhere from six to 100 U.S. airline passengers each year could get cancer from the machines."

Maybe the TSA knows better than our overseas partners. What do you think?

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-11-29/news/fl-tsa-scanners-banned-20111129_1_airport-body-body-scanners-backscatter

More Cancer Concerns at Portland and Puerto Rico!

The TSA workforce in Portland and Puerto Rico have also reported higher clusters of illnesses that they suspect are caused by the body scanners.

According to this article the TSA doesn't seem to care much either way. (Why are we not surprised?) As long as they can sit safely away from these machines why would they care about a health risk?

What safeguards would they have in place for themselves? Afford us the same peace of mind and safety precautions that they would want.

We think that the time is right for the TSA to issue dosimeter badges to all employees. It would show us that we are not expendable and that our concerns are your concerns.

Read the full article at : http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/07/airport_body_scanners_causing_cancer_portland_tsa.php

Six college professors question the safety of body scanners!

Scientists are stating that the information provided by the TSA claiming that there is no safety hazard is unreliable. These scientists are going on record as saying that the actual dosage is much, much higher than previously mentioned.

The test results that were released by John Hopkins were results that were not from an actual working model of the body scanners. A letter sent to White House science adviser John Holden points out flaws in the test. Their letter also states that the released report was heavy redacted and that there is no way to repeat any of these measurements.

The TSA response was that allowing outside testing would result in exposing sensitive security information. So, information about a possible health hazard gets hidden in a shroud of secrecy all in the name of security? If it's dangerous let the public know! And for that matter, let those who are manning the equipment know what the real risks are.

Read the full story at:
http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/TSA-body-scanners-safety/2011/06/10/id/399656

TSA, Is there something that you don't want us to know?

Many months ago, USA Today, requested information on the results of radiation testing of the Xray equipment used at airports. TSA has just recently announced that there may have been "record keeping errors" and has asked for a retest. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the TSA found problems with more than one-quarter of the reports it reviewed, "including gross errors about radiation emissions.

Why has TSA waited so long to release this information? This information is of vital importance to those of us that are manning these machines, we are at risk! This behavior is totally unacceptable and inexcusable.

Wednesday the 16th, a House oversight subcommittee will hold hearings regarding the TSA oversight of the full body scanners.

Read the full story here at: http://bit.ly/e5efdU

Radiation Exposure Levels at Checkpoints and Baggage

There is an article in USA Today concerning radiation exposure levels and the ability to test and detect machine malfunctions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that TSA take steps to protect against excessive exposures.

USA Today requested, in November, to review the current inspection reports for the 4080 x-ray machines, and the 221 new full body scanners currently in use. So far, TSA has not released that information. Why? There have been reports about cancer clusters amongst TSA colleagues at airports in Boston and San Juan.

The article points to the millimeter wave machines as being much safer than the ionizing radiation machines.

Read the full stories at:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-12-06-tsa-xray-inside_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-12-06-tsa-xray-inspection-records_N.htm

Who said going through airport security couldn't be pleasurable?

Sir, could you please undress for me?

It shouldn't come as a surprise or be news to any of us in the airport security business of the growing backlash against the AIT machines or the new pat downs. Here are just some of the stories floating out there on the interwebs:

The Atlantic posts about a US Army staff sergeant serving in Afghanistan and how he finds it egregious as to how TSA treats our own citizenry here versus how the military treat the Afghans.

Heres a story from SignOn San Diego about a man being ejected from the San Diego International Airport for refusing to go along with these barbaric procedures. And here's his first person account of the story.

The NJ Star Ledger has yet another take on the whole ordeal.

And by now, a lot of people should have heard about the grass roots movement for National Opt Out Day on November 24, in which people are pledging to opt out of the AIT.

Here's my own personal take on the matter, and I hope that people in the general public read this as well: As one who has to perform this pat down, look at these images, and do these invasive searches, I find it appalling that we're doing it. I hate doing it, and I think that this is just more security theater on the part of TSA. Just as TSA's reaction to the Yemeni incident with printer cartridges, it's all reactionary and for show. Mind you, I speak only for myself and no one else.

The question is this: when will TSA be forced to answer for their bureaucratic bull crap and utter lack of regard for security as well as their lack of regard for real security? These new measures do not make us any safer.