Sachin Walls
Airport body scanners have been a topic of concern for travellers due to their use of ionizing radiation, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. While some scanners use non-ionizing radiation, others employ X-rays, a form of ionizing radiation known to cause cancer at high doses. The question arises: Can the low doses of radiation from airport scanners cause cancer? Experts disagree, with some asserting negligible risk compared to natural background radiation, while others urge further research, especially concerning vulnerable groups like children. Although the potential risk is considered trivial, the impact on a large scale could be significant, and alternative scanning methods are recommended to minimize any potential harm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of ionizing radiation | Yes, some airport scanners use ionizing radiation, but others use non-ionizing radiation. |
| Amount of radiation | The amount of radiation emitted by airport scanners is very low. |
| Risk of cancer | The risk of cancer from airport scanners is generally considered low, but some experts argue that even a small risk is unacceptable. |
| Alternative scanning methods | Some airports use millimeter-wave technology or electromagnetic fields for scanning, which are considered safer alternatives. |
| Regulation | There are concerns that airport scanners are not subject to the same stringent regulations as medical devices. |
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What You'll Learn
Ionizing radiation from airport scanners
Airport security systems use a variety of methods to ensure safety, including metal detectors, backscatter X-ray machines, millimeter-wave scanners, and cabinet X-ray machines. Some of these devices, such as metal detectors, use non-ionizing radiation, while others, like backscatter X-ray machines, utilize ionizing radiation.
Ionizing radiation is a type of high-energy radiation that can cause damage to cells, potentially leading to cancer. The potential for harm depends on the dose received; low doses may cause temporary biological damage, moderate doses can result in permanent cellular changes and cancerous growth, and extremely high doses can lead to serious health issues as cells cannot recover quickly enough.
Backscatter X-ray scanners, used for full-body screening, emit very low doses of ionizing radiation. The radiation dose from these scanners is so low that it is uncertain if it poses any health risks. The amount of radiation received from a backscatter machine is comparable to the cosmic radiation one would be exposed to during two minutes of flight. Furthermore, the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) ensures that all X-ray systems and radiation-emitting equipment are designed to use radiation safely, with proper calibration and maintenance.
While the risk of cancer from airport scanners that use ionizing radiation is generally considered trivial, some studies have attempted to estimate the potential risk. One study suggested that for every 2 million girls who travel one round trip per week, there could be one additional case of breast cancer over their lifetime due to the scanners. However, this increase needs to be viewed in context; the same group of girls would have a 12% lifetime incidence of breast cancer, resulting in approximately 250,000 cases.
It is important to note that not all airport body scanners use ionizing radiation. For example, in the United States and the United Kingdom, millimeter-wave technology is employed, which uses non-ionizing, low-level radio waves. These scanners emit far less energy than a cell phone and are considered safe.
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The risk of skin cancer
Airport body scanners use two types of technology: backscatter X-ray and millimeter wave. Backscatter X-ray scanners use ionizing radiation, which has the potential to cause cancer. The dose of ionizing radiation emitted by these scanners is, however, exceedingly low, and the risk of harm is considered trivial by authorities like the TSA. Nevertheless, some experts argue that even low doses of radiation can increase the risk of cancer, especially for frequent flyers and more vulnerable groups such as children.
Millimeter-wave technology, on the other hand, uses non-ionizing radiation in the form of low-level radio waves. This type of radiation is generally considered safer and is used in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. A report from the British Institute of Radiology and the Royal College of Radiologists found that the dose from an airport scan is significantly lower than the average annual dose of radiation we are naturally exposed to. Additionally, millimeter waves have not been shown to strip electrons from atoms or cause cancer.
While the risk of skin cancer from airport scanners is a concern, it is important to consider the benefits of these security measures in improving national security and safety. The potential increase in cancer risk is difficult to estimate and may be so low that it is indistinguishable from other background risk factors. Nevertheless, some experts recommend considering alternative scanning techniques, such as wave body scanners, which expose individuals to electromagnetic fields instead of ionizing radiation.
Overall, while there may be a minuscule risk of skin cancer associated with airport scanners, particularly those using backscatter X-ray technology, the likelihood of harm is extremely low, especially when compared to other sources of radiation exposure.
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The safety of backscatter X-ray scanners
The potential for ionizing radiation to cause damage depends on the dose. At moderate to high doses, ionizing radiation can cause permanent cellular changes, leading to cancer or other abnormalities. However, at the low doses associated with backscatter X-ray scanners, the risk of causing harm is trivial and challenging to quantify. The European Commission notes that the biological effects of such low doses are so minimal that they cannot be measured in experiments on animals or cell cultures.
Some experts argue that even a small risk of cancer is concerning, especially when considering the large number of people who fly each year. Dr. David Brenner, a radiation research expert, estimates there could be up to 100 additional cancer cases annually due to airport scanners. However, others, like Dr. Peter Riley, a consultant radiologist, assert that the risk is minuscule compared to natural background radiation and medical sources.
It is worth noting that not all airport scanners use ionizing radiation. Some countries, like the UK, exclusively use millimeter-wave technology, which employs non-ionizing radiation in the form of low-level radio waves. This technology creates a 3D image without penetrating the body, and there are no proven health risks associated with it.
While the risk of cancer from backscatter X-ray scanners is likely minimal, it is challenging to provide an exact estimate. The available models for projecting cancer risk are based on higher-dose exposures, and there is currently no accepted model for understanding the relationship between skin exposure and skin cancer risk. Therefore, while the scanners may slightly increase cancer risk, the impact is likely negligible compared to other sources of radiation exposure.
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Scanners' effects on children and those with gene mutations
While the health risks posed by full-body scanners are still being studied, there is some concern about their effects on children and those with gene mutations.
Full-body scanners use either backscatter X-ray or millimeter wave technology. Backscatter X-ray scanners use ionizing radiation, which can cause biological damage and potentially lead to cancer or other abnormalities at moderate to high doses. Millimeter-wave technology, on the other hand, uses non-ionizing radiation in the form of low-level radio waves and is considered safer.
Children are believed to be more sensitive to the effects of radiation than adults. Studies have estimated that for every 2 million girls who travel one round trip per week, one additional breast cancer could occur from these scans over their lifetime. This risk needs to be balanced against the security benefits provided by the scanners.
Gene mutations are changes to an individual's DNA sequence that can occur during cell division. While some gene mutations can have positive effects, such as protecting against heart disease or diabetes, others can lead to genetic conditions, including cancer. It is unclear whether the low doses of radiation from full-body scanners can interact with gene mutations to increase the risk of cancer. However, some authorities recommend avoiding the use of ionizing radiation on certain populations, including children and pregnant women.
In summary, while the risks associated with full-body scanners are generally considered low, there may be specific concerns for children and those with gene mutations. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential health impacts of these scanners, especially for vulnerable populations.
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Millimeter-wave technology as an alternative
While there is no reliable evidence that airport scanners increase the risk of cancer, some people are concerned about the radiation emitted by the machines. This has led to the development and deployment of millimeter-wave technology as an alternative to traditional backscatter X-ray scanners.
Millimeter-wave technology uses non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the form of low-level radio waves to scan a person's body. This type of radiation is not known to cause any adverse health effects and is similar to the radiation emitted by mobile phones. Millimeter-wave scanners direct millimeter wave energy at the subject and interpret the reflected energy to create a 3-D image that is sent to a remote monitor. This process takes less than 10 seconds and is considered non-invasive, with no physical contact required.
Millimeter-wave technology has been deployed in airports worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is used to enhance security screening, improve threat detection, and increase throughput at checkpoints. One of the key advantages of this technology is its ability to detect objects concealed underneath clothing, including footwear, without the need for passengers to remove their shoes.
While millimeter-wave scanners offer a safer alternative to backscatter X-ray scanners in terms of radiation exposure, they have faced criticism for their relatively low efficacy in detecting threatening objects. Some studies have questioned their cost-effectiveness and highlighted instances where weapons were not detected during scanning. Additionally, millimeter-wave scanners have faced challenges in accurately reading through sweat and have yielded false positives from buttons and folds in clothing.
Despite these limitations, millimeter-wave technology continues to evolve and play a significant role in airport security. Most passengers prefer this technology over alternative screening procedures, especially those with artificial joints or implanted medical devices, as it addresses privacy concerns and eliminates the need for removing shoes during security checks.
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Frequently asked questions
While it is true that exposure to large amounts of ionizing radiation can cause cancer, the doses of radiation from airport scanners are very small and have not been proven to cause cancer.
Airport scanners emit ionizing radiation, which has enough energy to knock out an electron from a molecule, turning it into an ion with an electric charge.
The dose of radiation from airport scanners is minuscule, estimated to be 0.1 μSv. This is about 100,000 times lower than the average annual dose of radiation we get from natural background radiation and medical sources.
Yes, some airports use millimeter-wave technology, which uses non-ionizing radiation in the form of low-level radio waves to scan a person's body.
The risk of cancer from airport scanners is likely very small, but it is not possible to completely rule it out. The potential increase in cancer risk is something to consider, especially for frequent flyers and certain groups such as children.
