Roberta Aguirre
Airport security screening worldwide includes the use of body-scanning units, which can expose individuals to low levels of backscatter X-ray ionizing radiation. While the doses of radiation emitted by these scans are extremely low, there is some concern that they may increase the risk of cancer, especially given the large number of people who fly each year. However, it is important to note that the health risks associated with these scans are generally considered to be low, and the benefit of correctly diagnosing and treating health conditions with medical scans is thought to outweigh any potential harm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can airport X-rays cause cancer? | Research suggests that anywhere from six to 100 airline passengers could get cancer from airport X-ray machines every year. However, the dose from the backscatter is negligible when compared with naturally occurring background radiation. |
| Type of radiation | Ionizing radiation |
| Type of X-ray | Backscatter X-ray |
| Alternative types of scanners | Millimeter-wave scanners, which use low-energy non-ionizing radiation |
| Number of X-ray scanners in U.S. airports | 250 |
| Number of body scanners in U.S. airports | 264 |
| Comparison of radiation exposure | An individual would have to undergo more than 50 airport scans to equal the exposure of a single dental X-ray. |
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What You'll Learn
Ionizing radiation and cancer risk
Ionizing radiation is a type of energy released by atoms that travel in the form of electromagnetic waves (gamma or X-rays) or particles (neutrons, beta, or alpha). It is present in our everyday lives, with natural sources such as radioactive elements that are naturally occurring in our bodies, like a small fraction of potassium. We are exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation daily, and the absorbed amount (dose) is usually small.
Ionizing radiation can cause serious harm or cancer with sufficient exposure. The potential for ionizing radiation to cause damage depends on the dose. At low doses, radiation causes biological damage, but cells can rapidly repair this damage. Moderate doses, on the other hand, can permanently change cells, making them cancerous or leading to other abnormalities like birth defects. High doses of ionizing radiation can produce visible skin or tissue damage, and acute effects such as radiation burns or acute radiation syndrome.
The risk of cancer from ionizing radiation exposure is influenced by the amount of radiation and the rate at which it is delivered (dose rate). Epidemiological studies have shown a significant increase in cancer risk at doses above 100 mSv. More recent studies suggest that cancer risk may increase even at lower doses between 50-100 mSv.
While airport X-ray scanners use backscatter X-rays, which emit ionizing radiation, the doses are considered exceedingly low. An individual would require numerous airport scans to match the exposure of a single dental X-ray. Experts suggest that the dose from airport scanners is negligible compared to naturally occurring background radiation. However, given the large number of passengers, even a small risk per person could potentially result in a significant number of cancers.
In summary, while the cancer risk from airport X-ray scanners is low, it is not negligible when considering the vast number of people passing through airports. The potential harm from ionizing radiation in airport scanners is a valid concern, and further evaluation of their safety is warranted.
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The 'linear no-threshold' model
The linear no-threshold model (LNT) is a dose-response model used in radiation protection to estimate the potential cancer-causing effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. The model assumes a linear relationship between the dose of radiation and the health effects, even at very low doses. This means that according to the LNT model, all exposure to ionizing radiation is harmful and that the effect is cumulative over a lifetime. The LNT model is often used by regulatory bodies when creating public health policies to protect against the harmful effects of radiation.
The LNT model was first introduced by Hermann Muller in 1927, who discovered that radiation may cause genetic mutation, which could in turn cause cancer. Muller demonstrated that mutation frequency is "directly and simply proportional to the dose of irradiation applied" and asserted that there is no threshold dose. In 2004, the United States National Research Council supported the LNT model, stating that there is no evidence that low doses of ionizing radiation are harmless or beneficial.
However, the validity of the LNT model is disputed. Some scientists claim that Muller intentionally ignored a study that did not support the model. The LNT model is also inconsistent with some experimental data, which suggests that low doses of radiation may have a lower carcinogenic effect due to the body's potent defences against the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation.
Despite the controversy, the LNT model is still widely used to assess the potential health risks of radiation exposure, including from sources such as airport X-ray scanners. While the dose of radiation from airport X-ray scanners is considered negligible, the LNT model suggests that even trivial amounts of radiation can increase the number of cancer cases when a large population is considered.
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Millimeter wave scanners
There are two types of full-body scanners used in airports: backscatter X-ray scanners and millimeter wave scanners. The former is more common in the US, but both are designed to detect objects concealed underneath a person's clothing.
However, millimeter wave scanners have raised privacy concerns. Prior to 2013, the scanners displayed detailed images of the surface of the skin, prosthetics, and other medical equipment normally hidden under clothing. These images were referred to as "virtual strip searches" by privacy advocates. Since June 1, 2013, all back-scatter full-body scanners have been removed from use at US airports due to their non-compliance with TSA software requirements. New software now displays metal and other objects on a generic body outline instead of the person's actual skin.
While millimeter wave scanners are considered safe, some experts argue that even trivial amounts of radiation can increase the number of cancer cases. It is difficult to determine the exact risk of cancer development due to the low doses of radiation involved.
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Backscatter scanners
The dose of radiation from a backscatter scan is about the same as the amount of background radiation an individual would receive in an hour. To put it into further context, an individual would need to undergo 50 backscatter scans to equal the exposure of a single dental X-ray, 1,000 scans to equal a chest X-ray, 4,000 scans to equal a mammogram, and 200,000 scans to equal an abdominal and pelvic CT scan.
While the risk of cancer from a single scan is extremely low, the potential for harm may increase with the number of scans. With 750 million passenger enplanements per year, even a small risk per person could translate into a significant number of cancers. According to one estimate, for every 100 million passengers who flew seven one-way flights, there would be one additional cancer case. Another estimate suggests that among 1 million frequent fliers who take ten trips per week for a year, there could be four additional cancers from the backscatter scans.
It is important to note that there is no accepted mathematical model for understanding the relationship between skin exposure to backscatter radiation and the risk of skin cancer. As a result, the available models used to estimate future cancers may be inaccurate, as they assume whole-body exposure rather than concentrated exposure to superficial tissues, primarily the skin.
While backscatter scanners were removed from US airports in 2013 due to concerns about privacy and radiation risks, they may be reintroduced in the future as they produce superior images of concealed threats. Congress has ordered an independent third-party assessment of the safety of these scanners.
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The TSA's stance
While the TSA acknowledges that ionizing radiation can cause biological damage at low doses, they maintain that the levels used in airport security are too low to cause any harm. The agency asserts that the benefits of using radiation for security screening outweigh the potential risks. Radiation provides a reliable and quick way to detect prohibited items such as weapons and explosives without harming the person or items being scanned.
However, some experts have raised concerns about the potential cancer risk associated with airport X-ray scanners. They argue that while the dose from each backscatter scan is negligible compared to naturally occurring background radiation, the large number of people passing through airport security means that even a small risk per person could potentially translate into a significant number of cancer cases.
It is important to note that the TSA's stance on the safety of airport X-rays is based on the current scientific understanding and available evidence. The agency follows guidelines and regulations to ensure that the radiation doses used in security screening are as low as reasonably achievable, minimizing any potential risks to the public.
Additionally, the TSA has implemented alternative screening technologies, such as millimeter-wave scanners, which do not use X-rays and are considered safe by organizations like the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada. These scanners use radiofrequency (RF) waves or low-energy radio waves and are not associated with the same health risks as ionizing radiation.
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Frequently asked questions
While it is theoretically possible that airport X-rays could cause cancer, the doses of radiation emitted by backscatter X-ray scans are extremely low. It is so low that it is uncertain whether there is any potential for causing harm.
The risk of cancer from airport X-rays is very small. An individual would have to undergo 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.
Yes, millimeter-wave scanners use non-ionizing radiofrequency (RF) waves instead of X-rays. There are no known health risks associated with millimeter-wave scanners.
Airport X-ray scanners emit low-energy ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation can increase the risk of cancer, but the doses from airport scanners are negligible compared to naturally occurring background radiation.
Yes, baggage screening at airports also uses X-ray scanners. However, these scanners are well shielded, and Health Canada does not require operators to wear dosimeters.
