Ruth Haines
Airport body scanners are typically used to detect contraband hidden under clothing. While the scanners do not detect cancer, they can identify anomalies on the body, such as scar tissue or loose skin, which may require further investigation. In rare cases, airport scanners have been known to detect nodular melanomas, but they are not sensitive enough to be recommended as a standard screening tool. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential health risks associated with the ionizing radiation emitted by backscatter x-ray scanners, one of the two types of full-body scanners used in airports. While the doses of radiation are exceedingly low, the potential cancer risk merits consideration given the high number of passengers screened annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can airport scanners detect cancer? | No, airport scanners cannot detect cancer. |
| Do airport scanners pose a risk of causing cancer? | The risk of cancer due to exposure to airport scanners is trivial. However, there is no alternative model to the "linear no-threshold" model, which assumes that every exposure to radiation carries some risk. |
| Can airport scanners detect skin diseases? | Airport scanners cannot detect skin diseases, but the technology has been used for that purpose in a medical setting. |
| Can airport scanners detect melanoma? | In rare cases, airport scanners have been known to detect nodular melanoma. However, full-body scanning is not recommended as a screening tool. |
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What You'll Learn
Airport scanners are not designed to detect cancer
While there have been instances of airport scanners detecting cancer, these machines are not designed for that purpose. Airport scanners are security tools used to identify contraband hidden under clothing. Millimeter-wave scanners, which are the most common type, emit extremely low-energy waves to capture the reflected energy and create a detailed outline of the human body. This technology is similar to radio waves and does not penetrate the skin.
Although airport scanners can detect anomalies on a person's body, they are not designed to diagnose medical conditions. In fact, the radiation exposure from these scanners is so low that it is uncertain whether they pose any health risk at all. The TSA considers the risk for harm trivial.
Even though the technology has been used for skin examinations in a medical setting, airport scanners are not sensitive enough to become a recommended screening tool for cancer. They are not a substitute for proper medical screening and diagnosis.
It is important to note that the primary concern with airport scanners is the safety of backscatter X-ray scanners, which, unlike millimeter-wave scanners, use ionizing radiation. While the doses of radiation emitted by backscatter scanners are exceedingly low, the potential for harm depends on the dose. At moderate doses, cells can be permanently changed, leading to cancerous growths or other abnormalities.
In conclusion, while airport scanners have the potential to detect certain cancers, they are not designed or sensitive enough to be relied upon for that purpose. Travelers should not consider airport scanners as a method for cancer screening or detection.
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Millimeter wave scanners emit low-energy waves
Millimeter wave scanners come in two varieties: active and passive. Active scanners direct millimeter wave energy at the subject and interpret the reflected energy. Passive systems, on the other hand, create images using only ambient radiation and radiation emitted from the human body or objects. In both cases, the scanners emit non-ionizing radiation, which has enough energy to move atoms in a molecule or cause them to vibrate but not enough to remove electrons from atoms. This makes it safe for use in airport security scanning, as it does not expose workers and travellers to high levels of radiation.
The use of millimeter wave scanners in airports has raised privacy concerns in the past as the scanners used to display detailed images of the surface of the skin under clothing, prosthetics, and other medical equipment. However, in 2013, the U.S. Congress prohibited the display of such detailed images, requiring instead that metal and other objects be displayed on a generic body outline.
While millimeter wave scanners emit low-energy waves, the potential biological effects of millimeter wave radiation are still being studied. For example, a 2009 study found that terahertz-range radiation can interfere with the function of double-stranded DNA. Additionally, while the energy density of active millimeter wave scanners is typically not high enough to cause thermal injury to the skin, it is plausible that molecular products of thermal injury could cause secondary injury.
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Backscatter X-ray scanners use ionizing radiation
Backscatter X-ray scanners emit a type of ionizing radiation that breaks chemical bonds. Ionizing radiation is considered carcinogenic even in small doses. However, the doses used in airport scanners are believed to be negligible for individuals. This is because the radiation dose from a single scan is minuscule. For instance, a Rapiscan executive has claimed that "you would have to go through [a backscatter] scanner 1,000 times to equate to one medical X-ray. You get twice as much radiation when eating a banana than when going through the scanner".
Nevertheless, there are concerns about the safety of backscatter X-ray scanners. Some studies have found that the radiation from these scanners can penetrate the skin and reach deeper tissues. For instance, a study from the Marquette University College of Engineering contradicted the manufacturers' claims about the intensity of the radiation. Furthermore, researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center estimated that 1 billion backscatter scans per year would lead to 100 radiation-induced cancers.
In response to these concerns, the European Union banned backscatter X-ray screening of airline passengers in 2012. This ban complies with a law in several European countries that prohibits exposing people to X-rays except for medical reasons. In the United States, the original versions of backscatter X-ray machines were removed in May 2013. However, the 25 largest US airports still rely on newer backscatter X-ray technology for some of their security scanners.
Despite the concerns, several radiation safety authorities, including the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, The Health Physics Society, and the American College of Radiology, have stated that there is no specific evidence that full-body scans are unsafe. The UK Health Protection Agency has also concluded that the radiation dose from backscatter scanners is extremely low and comparable to the background radiation people receive in an hour.
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Airport scanners can detect anomalies on the skin
While airport body scanners are not designed to detect cancer, there have been instances where they have identified anomalies on the skin that may indicate the presence of cancerous cells. These scanners use either millimeter waves or backscatter X-rays to create a detailed outline of a person's body, allowing them to identify objects hidden under clothing.
Millimeter wave scanners emit extremely low-energy waves, similar to radio waves, that do not penetrate the skin but can detect anomalies on the body. This type of scanner is often used in airports and has a very low radiation dose, similar to that of a short cellphone call. While these scanners are not designed to detect skin diseases, they can be sensitive to changes in the skin, such as scar tissue or loose skin, which may trigger further investigation during the screening process.
Backscatter X-ray scanners, on the other hand, utilize very low-dose X-rays, similar to those used in medical imaging. These scanners can provide more detailed images, but they do emit ionizing radiation, which has raised concerns about potential health risks. At high enough doses, ionizing radiation can cause permanent cell damage, potentially leading to cancerous changes. However, it is important to note that the doses of ionizing radiation emitted by backscatter X-ray scanners are exceedingly low, and the risk of causing harm is generally considered trivial.
In a few reported cases, airport body scanners have serendipitously detected nodular melanomas on travelers. For example, a frequently traveling businessman had his left lower leg repeatedly flagged by airport scanners for a pat-down. Subsequent dermatological examination revealed a nodular melanoma, which was surgically removed. While airport body scanners are not sensitive or specific enough to be recommended as a screening tool for cancer, these cases suggest that they could potentially identify suspicious lesions that warrant further medical evaluation.
It is important to emphasize that airport body scanners are not a substitute for proper medical screening and diagnosis. While they may occasionally detect skin anomalies, their primary purpose is security screening, and any detection of potential health issues is incidental. Therefore, individuals should not rely on airport scanners for cancer detection and should instead seek professional medical advice and screening if they have any concerns.
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Full-body scanners can detect melanomas
While airport body scanners are not designed to detect cancer, there has been at least one instance of an airport body scanner detecting a nodular melanoma. In this case, a businessman who frequently travelled by air had a nodular melanoma on his left lower leg detected by airport full-body scanners. Over 20 flights across 2 months, the scanners repeatedly singled out an area on his left lower leg for a pat-down. A dermatological examination of the flagged area discovered a nodular melanoma, which was surgically removed.
This case suggests that full-body imaging could be used to detect melanomas, particularly of the nodular subtype. However, it is important to note that full-body scanners in their current form are likely not sensitive or specific enough to become a recommended screening tool for cancer detection. While they can detect anomalies on the body, they do not penetrate the skin and are not intended to diagnose skin diseases or other medical conditions.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the safety of backscatter X-ray scanners, one of the two main types of full-body scanners used in airports. These scanners emit ionizing radiation, which can cause biological damage at low doses, permanent cell changes at moderate doses, and serious health problems at high doses. However, it is important to note that the doses of ionizing radiation emitted by backscatter X-ray scanners are exceedingly low, and the risk of causing harm is considered trivial by the TSA.
Overall, while airport full-body scanners may have the potential to detect certain types of melanomas, they are not intended to be a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment. Individuals with concerns about their health should seek advice from a medical professional rather than relying on airport body scanners for screening or diagnosis.
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Frequently asked questions
No, airport scanners cannot detect cancer. However, they can detect anomalies on your person, such as scar tissue or loose skin, which may require a pat-down.
Yes, airport scanners emit very low doses of radiation, similar to those used in medical imaging. The two types of full-body scanners are backscatter x-ray scanners and millimeter-wave scanners.
The safety of airport scanners, particularly backscatter x-ray scanners, has been a concern due to their use of ionizing radiation. While the doses of radiation emitted are exceedingly low, there may still be a small risk of harm, especially for frequent flyers and children.
While there is no conclusive evidence, it is generally assumed that there is some risk, even from very low doses of radiation. However, the exposure from airport scans is concentrated in the superficial tissues, primarily the skin, and there is no accepted mathematical model to understand the relationship between skin exposure and the risk of skin cancer.
No, airport scanners should not be relied upon for cancer screening. While there have been isolated cases of melanoma detection by airport scanners, they are not sensitive or specific enough to be recommended as a screening tool. It is always best to seek medical screening from a doctor's office.
