Are airport full body scanners safe for our health?

Filed in archive Accessories , gadgets on May 24, 2010

© Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

Experts are concerned that airport full body scanners may have bad effects to our health. They are concerned that the scanners may expose the skin to high doses of X-rays that could increase the risk of cancer and other health problems especially in older travelers, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is hoping to put nearly 1,000 full-body scanners to screen passengers at airports across the country. At the Los Angeles International Airport, two are already operational.

The full body scanners in airports use low-level X-rays to reveal weapons hidden under a traveler's clothes, creating what looks like a nude image of the person.

However, officials from Department of Homeland Security is saying that there is no need to worry because the risks are so low they are almost negligible.