Sachin Walls
Airport body scanners have evolved over the years, with current machines relying on electromagnetic millimeter waves to detect objects on or inside a person's body for security screening purposes, without physical contact or the removal of clothing. Despite their ability to detect non-metal objects, these scanners cannot penetrate the skin and see inside a person's body. However, the technology has limitations, such as inadequate screening of turbans, hijabs, prosthetics, and loose clothing, which has raised concerns about equality and safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of scanner | Millimeter wave scanners, Backscatter scanners, X-ray scanners |
| How it works | Sends millimeter waves towards a passenger's body, which reflect off the skin and bounce back an image |
| What it sees | Contours of the body, generic human shape, objects on or inside the body |
| What it doesn't see | Inside the body, health issues like tumors or inflammation |
| Safety concerns | Potential serious health risks, especially for pregnant women, babies, children, and people with disabilities |
| Alternative methods | Pat-down, wand, visual screening, alternate screening methods for certain groups |
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What You'll Learn
- Body scanners use electromagnetic millimeter waves that reflect off the skin
- Scanners cannot detect objects inside the body or under the skin
- Scanners can detect non-metal objects, but not what's inside a person's body
- Scanners can detect prosthetics and medical equipment, which may require a physical inspection
- Scanners are safe for pregnant people and those with pacemakers or breast implants
Body scanners use electromagnetic millimeter waves that reflect off the skin
Millimeter wave scanners come in two varieties: active and passive. Active scanners direct millimeter wave energy at the subject and then interpret the reflected energy. The machine sends millimeter waves toward a passenger, and these waves pass through clothing and reflect off the skin and any other objects concealed on the body. The waves then bounce back an image, which is interpreted by the machine. Passive systems, on the other hand, create images using only ambient radiation and radiation emitted from the human body or objects.
Millimeter waves are well-understood and quite common in a number of applications. They are used in radio broadcasting, cell phone transmissions, and even in microwave ovens. Their adoption in airport security is a natural and harmless extension of the technology, as they can detect non-metal objects and prevent disasters such as airliner bombing attempts.
While millimeter wave scanners do use radiation, it is important to note that it is non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which is not known to cause any adverse health effects. This type of radiation is of lower energy than its nearest radiotoxic neighbour, ultraviolet radiation, and does not penetrate the skin. The health risks posed by millimeter wave scanners are still being studied, but there is no clear evidence to date of any harmful effects other than those caused by localized heating and ensuing chemical changes.
It is worth mentioning that privacy advocates have raised concerns about the use of full-body scanning technology in the past, as it used to display detailed images of the surface of the skin, prosthetics, and other medical equipment. However, in 2013, the U.S. Congress prohibited the display of such detailed images, and now generic body outlines are used instead.
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Scanners cannot detect objects inside the body or under the skin
While airport body scanners can detect metal and non-metal objects concealed under clothing, they cannot detect objects inside the body or under the skin. The scanners use millimeter waves in the radio frequency spectrum, which do not penetrate the skin. Instead, the waves reflect off the skin and bounce back an image, which is then interpreted by the machine. This image is a generic human shape, without any specific identifying features, that is projected onto a neutral avatar.
The technology is sensitive and can flag some unexpected items and substances as potential threats. For example, a 2016 case study revealed that scanning devices can misinterpret cysts and other skin lesions as foreign objects. Sweat can also set off the machines. However, the scanners cannot detect health issues such as tumours or inflammation.
While the scanners do not reveal what is inside a person's body, they can detect the outline of the body and any deviations from the regular body contour. This means that transgender individuals may be flagged for a pat-down, as the machine will highlight areas that do not conform to the gendered body shape it is scanning for. This has caused concerns about the potential for harassment and invasion of privacy.
In addition, while the millimeter-wave scanners used in the US and Canada are safe for pregnant people, the European Commission has recommended that alternate screening methods be used for pregnant women, babies, children, and people with disabilities. This is because the radiation emitted by some full-body scanners has been criticised as a potential health risk, with some claiming it is up to 20 times stronger than official limits.
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Scanners can detect non-metal objects, but not what's inside a person's body
Airport body scanners have evolved over the years, and modern machines rely on electromagnetic millimeter waves. These waves are directed at passengers and can pass through clothing, reflecting off the skin and other objects, to create an image interpreted by the machine. While this technology can detect non-metal objects, it does not penetrate the skin and cannot see inside a person's body.
Millimeter wave scanners use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, similar to that used by wireless data transmitters, in the extremely high-frequency radio band. This is a lower frequency than visible light, and it does not generate ionizing radiation. The waves do not pass through the skin, so they cannot detect objects inside the body or under the skin. However, they can detect objects on the body, such as a menstrual cup, and can identify non-metal objects concealed under clothing.
Some people have raised concerns about the safety and accuracy of these machines. While millimeter wave scanners are considered safe, there are concerns about X-ray backscatter scanners, which emit ionizing radiation. The European Commission has recommended that alternate screening methods be used for pregnant women, babies, children, and people with disabilities. The U.S. government has supplied higher-radiation X-ray machines to some African countries, which can see through flesh and deliver significant radiation doses.
The use of full-body scanners has also sparked debates about privacy and human rights. Some argue that using a full-body scanner without probable cause is equivalent to a strip search and violates basic human rights. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for discrimination and the need for equalization in the screening process for religious minorities and transgender individuals. For example, transgender individuals may experience additional pat-downs due to discrepancies between their physical appearance and the gender-based scanning process.
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Scanners can detect prosthetics and medical equipment, which may require a physical inspection
Airport body scanners have evolved over the years, and modern machines rely on electromagnetic millimeter waves. These waves are directed at passengers, passing through clothing and reflecting off the skin and other objects. The reflected waves then bounce back an image, which is interpreted by the machine.
While these scanners do not detect objects inside the body, they can identify items on the body, including non-metal objects, and those hidden under clothing. This includes prosthetics and medical equipment, such as colostomy bags and catheters. When such items are detected, the scanners may flag them as potential threats, requiring a physical inspection.
The detection of prosthetics and medical devices can be a sensitive issue. For example, breast prostheses and prosthetic testicles may require a physical inspection, which could be an uncomfortable experience for the passenger. To address this, the TSA has implemented measures to ensure passenger privacy. These include blurring facial images, using less provocative software, and displaying chalk outlines of subjects.
It is important to note that the safety and accuracy of these machines have been questioned by some experts and frequent flyers. Passengers who are uncomfortable with the scanners can request a pat-down inspection instead. This may include an intimate check of the breasts, groin, and buttocks.
Additionally, current backscatter and millimeter-wave scanners have limitations in screening certain items, such as those concealed under turbans, hijabs, burqas, casts, and loose clothing. This often requires additional manual screening, which can cause delays and potentially make individuals feel harassed.
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Scanners are safe for pregnant people and those with pacemakers or breast implants
Body scanners at airports are safe for pregnant people and those with pacemakers or breast implants. Firstly, it is important to note that body scanners at airports do not use X-rays and do not penetrate your skin. They use millimeter waves in the radio frequency spectrum, which means they do not see anything inside your body, including organs, bones, or anything inside body cavities.
For pregnant people, this means that the scanners will not see inside the body to the developing fetus, and are therefore safe for both the pregnant person and the fetus.
For those with pacemakers, research presented at the ESC Congress 2018 found that body scanners are safe for patients with pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. The study involved 300 patients with these devices undergoing a millimeter-wave body scan, similar to those at airport security, and found no evidence of electromagnetic interference or device malfunction.
For those with breast implants, it is worth noting that newer scanners may be able to detect the presence of implants. However, this does not pose a safety risk. While it may be a concern for some, it is important to remember that the scanners are meant for the protection of all travelers and that many people have implants. Additionally, you do not need to disclose the presence of breast implants to TSA officials unless they contain metal, such as tissue expanders, in which case you may want to notify them and carry an implant identification card.
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Frequently asked questions
No, airport body scanners cannot see inside your body. They use millimeter waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation, that reflect off your skin and do not penetrate it.
Airport body scanners can detect metal and non-metal objects on your body and under your clothing. They can also detect the general shape of your body, and any deviations from a standard body contour will be flagged.
Prosthetics, including breast prostheses, will be detected by the body scanner and may require additional screening. It is recommended that you inform the TSA agent about your prosthesis before proceeding.
Airport body scanners that use millimeter-wave technology, like those in the US and Canada, are safe for people with pacemakers. However, it is always recommended to inform the security agent that you have a pacemaker implanted.
There has been some debate about the safety of airport body scanners, particularly those that use X-ray backscatter technology, due to the potential health risks associated with radiation exposure. However, millimeter-wave scanners do not generate ionizing radiation, and the health risks associated with them are still being studied.
