Jazmin Li
X-ray scanners at airports can affect undeveloped film, causing fogging or light patterns to appear on the photos. To prevent this, it is recommended to carry all undeveloped film and cameras loaded with film as hand luggage and request a manual inspection if possible. However, X-ray scanners do not affect developed film, digital photos, or slides, so there is no need to worry about carrying those through airport security.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can undeveloped Fuji film go through airport X-ray? | No, it is not recommended. |
| Can developed Fuji film go through airport X-ray? | Yes, it is safe. |
| Recommended way to carry undeveloped film | Carry it in your hand luggage and request a manual inspection if possible. |
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What You'll Learn
X-rays can fog undeveloped film
To prevent fogging of undeveloped film, it is recommended that all film and cameras loaded with film are carried as hand luggage and not transported in hold luggage. If possible, it is best to buy film at your destination or have it developed before you travel. If facilities are available, a manual hand search should be requested. Carrying film in a clear "Do Not X-Ray" pouch can also help to avoid fogging, although this is not always effective.
Checked bags go through high-powered CT scanners that can cause immediate and irreversible damage to film. Even the best processing lab cannot fix film that has been fogged by these machines. Carry-on X-ray scanners use lower levels of radiation and typically do not harm film under 800 ISO. However, it is still recommended to request a hand check, especially if your trip includes multiple flights or airport transfers.
When shipping film internationally, it is recommended to mark the package with a "Do Not X-Ray" label and indicate that the package contains "light-sensitive materials." Most commercial carriers such as FedEx or UPS do not X-ray their packages, but when shipping internationally, they cannot guarantee how other institutions, such as Customs, may handle your package.
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Carry film in hand luggage
When travelling with film, it is important to take precautions to ensure that it is not damaged by airport security X-ray machines. While it is generally safe to carry film in your hand luggage, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First and foremost, never pack film in checked baggage. Checked bags go through high-powered CT scanners that can cause immediate and irreversible damage to your film. Even black-and-white film, which is less susceptible to X-ray damage, may show noticeable fogging after 5 or 6 scans.
Instead, always carry your film in your hand luggage. Most standard X-ray machines used for carry-on luggage use a mild dose of X-rays that is unlikely to harm film with an ISO rating of 800 or lower. However, to be extra cautious, you can request a hand check of your film when going through security. This is a common practice and security personnel are usually accommodating of such requests. It is recommended to arrive early and be polite and patient when requesting a hand check. You can also pack your film in a clear plastic bag with a “Do Not X-Ray” label to make it easier for security personnel to identify and handle your film.
Additionally, keep in mind that some airports, particularly those with higher traffic, are now using CT scanners for carry-on luggage as well. These scanners are significantly more powerful than traditional X-ray machines and can damage your film. To avoid this, you can check ahead of time to see if the airport you're travelling through uses CT scanners and request a hand check if they do. You can also purchase a specialised film bag lined with lead or other materials that block X-rays, providing extra protection for your film.
By following these precautions, you can minimise the risk of damaging your film when travelling through airport security. While X-ray machines used for carry-on luggage are generally safe for film, taking these extra steps can provide added peace of mind and ensure your film remains undamaged.
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Request a manual inspection
When travelling with undeveloped film, it is recommended to carry it in your hand luggage or carry-on baggage. This is because the X-ray inspection of checked baggage can be strong enough to fog unexposed film.
If your hand luggage or carry-on baggage needs to be X-rayed, you can request a manual inspection. Some airports allow manual inspections of photographic equipment and undeveloped film. It is recommended that you make this request politely and patiently.
It is important to note that X-ray scanners at airport security will not affect developed film, such as digital photos, slides, and developed pictures. However, they can potentially harm undeveloped film. Undeveloped film is sensitive to light and the X-ray may penetrate and expose it. This may result in random fog stripes or light patterns appearing on the photos.
If you are travelling with a Fujifilm Instax mini, Instax wide, Polaroid Originals 600, or SX-70, a low-energy X-ray will not cause noticeable damage to the film. However, it is always best to err on the side of caution and request a manual inspection if you are concerned about the safety of your undeveloped film.
By requesting a manual inspection, you can ensure that your undeveloped film is not exposed to the X-ray scanners and avoid any potential damage that may occur. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on your travels without worrying about the condition of your film.
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Developed film is safe
It is generally advised to never pack film in checked baggage when travelling by air. This is because checked baggage goes through high-powered CT scanners that can cause immediate and irreversible damage to your film. Even the best processing lab cannot fix film that has been fogged by these machines.
However, carry-on baggage only scanners use lower levels of radiation and typically don't harm film under 800 ISO. Some sources suggest that there may be little to no noticeable damage to film under 800 ISO even after being X-rayed. Nevertheless, it is recommended to request a hand check for film to be extra cautious, especially when travelling through multiple airports.
To ensure your film is safe, you can purchase a specialised film bag that blocks X-rays. These bags are crafted from durable, see-through PVC mesh and feature a "Do Not X-Ray" label, making them ideal for airport security. Alternatively, you can pack your film in a clear plastic bag and politely request a hand search at the security checkpoint.
It is important to note that regulations and inspections vary by country, so some international airports may not honour your request for a hand search. Additionally, some airports are now using CT scanners for carry-on luggage, which can damage film. Therefore, it is always best to check ahead of time to see if your airport is using this technology and plan accordingly.
In summary, developed film is generally safe from damage when going through airport security as long as it is kept in your carry-on baggage and is under 800 ISO. However, to be extra cautious, it is recommended to request a hand check or use a specialised film bag that blocks X-rays.
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Low-energy X-rays are safer
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light but with higher energy. They are produced when charged particles of sufficient energy hit a material. While X-rays have been extremely beneficial in medical diagnostics and treatment, there have been concerns about their health implications. This is because X-rays are a carcinogen and are linked to a slightly increased risk of cancer.
However, it is important to note that X-rays provide a very low dose of radiation and are not believed to cause any immediate health problems. The benefits of X-rays in medicine far outweigh any potential negative outcomes. The average Australian, for example, receives an effective dose of about 1.7 mSv per year from medical procedures, including about 1.1 mSv from CT scans, which is similar to the dose received from background radiation in the environment.
Furthermore, the Earth is naturally bombarded by cosmic radiation, including low-level X-rays, which have virtually unnoticeable effects. While pilots, cabin crew, and astronauts are at a higher risk of exposure to cosmic rays, the radiation levels are still very low.
In the context of airport security scanners, carry-on X-ray scanners use lower levels of radiation and typically do not harm film under 800 ISO. However, checked baggage is screened using high-intensity CT scanners that can cause irreversible damage to all types of film. Therefore, when travelling with film, it is recommended to always carry it in your hand luggage and request a hand-check if possible.
In conclusion, low-energy X-rays, such as those used in carry-on luggage scanners at airports, are considered safer and are much less likely to cause harm to both people and film.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take Fuji film through airport X-ray machines, but it is recommended to carry undeveloped films in your hand luggage or carry-on baggage as the X-rays used are milder than those used to scan checked baggage.
The X-ray may penetrate and expose undeveloped Fuji film, causing fogging. The fog will become more severe if the film is exposed to a high-energy X-ray scanner. It is recommended to request a manual inspection if possible.
No, X-ray scanners do not affect developed film.
Films under ISO800 are safe from low-energy X-rays. This includes Fujifilm Instax Mini, Instax Wide, Polaroid Originals 600 (ISO640), and SX-70 (ISO160).
