National security has become a top priority since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. From armed guards to advanced screening devices, airports are a prime example of increased security measures in the U.S. The intense scanning of luggage and the newest technology to scan passengers are raising concern about radiation exposure from these security measures.
The cabinet x-ray system, used to scan luggage, is an enclosed system that uses shielding to keep radiation from exiting the walls of the unit. There is a strict standard on the amount of radiation that a cabinet x-ray system is allowed to emit. In addition, the standard also requires safety features that include warning lights, warning labels, and locks.
The human x-ray scanner, called the backscatter system, is a scanning device that gives a security value matched only by a strip search. The risk from the backscatter x-ray is low, it offers a clear alternative to an intrusive strip search, and increases the chance of catching a threat to airport security.
Do not confuse the backscatter system with metal detectors. Metal detectors do not use ionizing radiation.
Source: EPA
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