Roberta Aguirre
Airport security scanners have been a topic of concern for pregnant women, who worry about the potential impact of X-ray radiation on their babies. While it is understandable that expectant mothers may be anxious about any potential risks, the consensus is that airport X-rays emit very low doses of radiation, far below the level required to cause harm during pregnancy. The likelihood of miscarriage due to airport X-rays is extremely low, and the doses are minuscule compared to routine medical procedures like dental X-rays.
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What You'll Learn
Airport x-rays emit very low doses of radiation
While airport security scanners use X-rays, these emit very low doses of radiation. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has federal authority to set standards for machines that produce radiation, including airport security screening systems. The FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) ensures that all X-ray systems and other radiation-emitting screening equipment are built to use radiation safely. The FDA requires that all machines be correctly calibrated and maintained, and that they meet strict standards about how much radiation can escape the cabinet.
Airport security systems use metal detectors, backscatter X-ray machines, millimetre wave scanners, and cabinet X-ray machines to keep people safe while travelling. Backscatter machines use very low-energy X-rays that are reflected back to the machine itself. The amount of radiation received from a backscatter machine equals the amount of cosmic radiation received during two minutes of flight, and the risk of health effects is very low. Even though about half of the scanners emit ionizing radiation, the dose just isn't high enough to do bodily harm.
In fact, the lowest radiation dose shown to cause issues during pregnancy is on the order of 60,000 µSv, significantly above the radiation dose a baby will receive during gestation. The doses are extremely low, with radiation doses higher near the surface of the body. The doses to deeper internal organs are approximately one-fourth (25%) of the average dose to the skin. This means that, at most, the baby would receive about 4–5 µSv.
Therefore, airport security scanners are completely safe for pregnant women and their babies. There is little to no measurable radiation dose to the baby from these scanners.
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The risk of miscarriage from airport x-rays is trivial
It is understandable that pregnant women may be concerned about the potential risks of airport X-ray scanners on their babies. However, the risk of miscarriage from these scanners is indeed trivial. Airport X-ray scanners, also known as backscatter X-ray scanners, emit very low doses of ionizing radiation. This radiation is similar in magnitude to that experienced during a flight. For example, a woman taking a 6-hour flight would be exposed to approximately 14.3 µSv of radiation from the flight, and an additional 0.03–0.1 µSv from an airport scanner, increasing her total radiation exposure by less than 1%.
To put this into perspective, an individual would need to undergo 50 airport scans to equal the exposure of a single dental X-ray, 1,000 scans to equal a chest X-ray, 4,000 scans for a mammogram, and an astounding 200,000 scans to match the exposure of an abdominal and pelvic CT scan. The doses from airport scanners are thus exceedingly low compared to those routinely encountered in healthcare contexts.
While it is true that ionizing radiation can cause biological damage, the potential for harm depends on the dose. At low doses, cells can repair damage rapidly. Published studies linking radiation exposure to cancer risk have been conducted at much higher doses than those emitted by airport scanners. The lowest radiation dose known to cause issues during pregnancy is approximately 60,000 µSv, far exceeding the radiation a baby would receive during gestation from airport scanners, which is about 4–5 µSv.
Therefore, while there may be a theoretical risk associated with any radiation exposure, the practical risk of miscarriage from airport X-ray scanners is negligible. Pregnant women can rest assured that these scanners are considered safe for both mother and child, and the likelihood of any adverse effects is extremely low.
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The doses are too low to cause harm to a foetus
There is little to no measurable radiation dose to a baby from airport scanners. The doses are extremely low and are quickly repaired by the body's cells. The doses to deeper internal organs (such as the stomach, lungs, and liver) are approximately one-fourth (25%) of the average dose to the skin. This means that, at most, a baby in the womb would receive about 4–5 µSv.
The lowest radiation dose shown to cause issues during pregnancy is about 60,000 µSv, which is significantly above the radiation dose a baby will receive during gestation. To put this into perspective, an individual would have to undergo 200,000 airport scans to equal the exposure of a single abdominal and pelvic CT scan. Even a dental x-ray would require 50 airport scans to equal its exposure.
The risk of harm from airport scanners is considered trivial by the TSA. While it is difficult to estimate the risk associated with extremely low-dose exposures, it is important to note that published studies demonstrating a link between radiation exposure and cancer risk have been conducted at much higher doses than those emitted by airport scanners.
In conclusion, while airport scanners do emit low doses of radiation, the amount received by a foetus is negligible and is not considered harmful. Airport scanners are, therefore, generally considered safe for pregnant women and their babies.
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Airport x-ray scans expose you to less radiation than a flight
While it is understandable to be concerned about the potential risks of airport X-ray scanners, particularly during pregnancy, the radiation exposure from these scans is extremely low and regulated by authorities such as the FDA. The amount of radiation received from a backscatter X-ray machine is equivalent to the amount of cosmic radiation one would be exposed to during approximately 1-3 minutes of flight time. This means that the radiation exposure from the flight itself is significantly higher than that of the airport X-ray scan.
Backscatter X-ray scanners, commonly used in airport security, emit low-energy X-rays that are reflected back to the machine to create an image. The radiation doses are higher near the surface of the body, with internal organs receiving approximately one-fourth of the dose to the skin. The radiation exposure from these scans is so low that there is little to no measurable impact on the body, including during pregnancy. The lowest radiation dose known to cause issues during pregnancy is around 60,000 µSv, far exceeding the radiation exposure from airport scans, which is typically below 0.1 µSv.
Millimeter-wave technology, another type of body scanning technology used in some airports, does not use X-rays and emits non-ionizing radiation in the form of low-level radio waves. This type of technology releases thousands of times less energy than a cell phone and is considered safe for use during pregnancy.
While the risk of harm from airport X-ray scanners is generally considered trivial, it is important to recognize that even small risks can translate into a significant impact when considering the vast number of passengers passing through airports each year. However, the primary concern for radiation exposure during air travel is the flight itself, as radiation levels increase with altitude and can vary with latitude.
In summary, while airport X-ray scanners do emit low levels of radiation, the exposure is minimal and regulated to ensure safety. The radiation exposure from a flight far exceeds that of the airport X-ray scan, making the overall risk of harm very low. Therefore, individuals, including pregnant women, can feel assured that airport X-ray scans are safe and do not significantly increase their radiation exposure.
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Other sources of radiation exposure should be considered
While airport X-rays are generally considered safe for pregnant people and their babies, it is important to acknowledge that radiation exposure can originate from various other sources in our daily lives. These sources can contribute to an individual's overall radiation dose, and understanding them is crucial for comprehensive risk assessment.
One significant source of radiation exposure is the natural background radiation that exists in our environment. This includes cosmic radiation from the sun and stars, which varies based on altitude and geographical location. People living in high-altitude areas, such as Denver, Colorado, receive higher doses of cosmic radiation annually compared to those at sea level. Additionally, natural radioactive elements like radon, thoron, radium, and thorium can be found in the soil, rocks, building materials, and even the air we breathe. Uranium, another natural source of radiation, is present in the earth's crust and can be released during the extraction and processing of certain natural resources, such as coal, oil, and minerals.
Medical procedures are another important source of radiation exposure. X-rays used for diagnostic purposes and radiation therapy for cancer treatment can contribute to an individual's overall radiation dose. It is worth noting that the radiation dose from medical procedures is typically higher than the dose received from airport X-rays.
Furthermore, we are exposed to radiation from man-made sources, including consumer products and industrial applications. For example, dental X-rays, nuclear techniques in industries, and certain consumer goods like wristwatches and smoke detectors contain small amounts of radioactive materials. Additionally, nuclear explosives testing and routine discharges from nuclear and coal power plants release radioactive elements into the environment, leading to potential exposure.
It is important to recognize that the radiation doses from these sources are generally low and highly regulated to ensure public safety. However, understanding the diverse sources of radiation exposure is essential for comprehensive risk assessment and the implementation of appropriate protective measures.
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Frequently asked questions
No, airport X-rays are completely safe for you and your baby. The doses of radiation emitted by backscatter X-ray scans are exceedingly low and are not considered harmful.
The doses of radiation emitted by backscatter X-ray scans are extremely low—about 0.03-0.1 μSv. To put this into context, a 6-hour flight exposes you to approximately 14.3 μSv of radiation, which is about 1% higher than the exposure from an airport X-ray.
The radiation exposure from an airport X-ray is very low compared to other sources of radiation. For example, you would need 50 airport scans to equal the exposure of a single dental X-ray, and 200,000 airport scans to equal the exposure of an abdominal and pelvic CT scan.
The doses of radiation emitted by airport X-ray scanners are too low to cause any harm to the baby. The lowest radiation dose shown to cause issues during pregnancy is about 60,000 μSv, which is significantly higher than the radiation dose the baby will receive during gestation.
Yes, millimeter wave scanners are another type of full-body scanner that does not use ionizing radiation. These scanners emit extremely low-energy waves, similar to a small fraction of the energy of a cell phone.
