Roberta Aguirre
Airport security has become increasingly stringent in the wake of global terrorism threats. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US, for instance, works closely with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure aviation security. While the focus is on detecting explosives and other dangerous items, several everyday items have been known to trigger bomb alarms. For instance, glycerine, a common ingredient in hand lotion, cosmetics, and drugs, has been known to trigger a false positive during explosive checks at airports. Similarly, dense foods such as fruitcakes or peanut butter can also trigger alarms, causing delays while operators investigate. Even items like fertilisers, which can leave residue on items like golf clubs and shoes, can cause false positives.
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What You'll Learn
Toffee ingredients may trigger alarms
Airport security screening procedures are designed to prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security from entering the airport. While the list of substances that the ETDs (Explosive Trace Detection) are screening for is not public information, it is known that some common ingredients in food and cosmetics can trigger a false positive with airport security, leading screeners to believe you could have been in contact with explosives.
For example, dense foods such as fruitcake or peanut butter can trigger the detector's alarm, causing costly delays while the operator investigates. Similarly, glycerine, a common ingredient in hand lotion, cosmetics, drugs, and household items like soap, can be detected during explosive checks at airport security. An NBC 5 employee was stopped in 2013 after glycerine was detected during a screening at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
In addition to glycerine, other common items that can trigger alarms include water on clothes, paint, and fertilizer. Passengers travelling with pets will also always have their palms swabbed for explosives.
To avoid triggering alarms, passengers can refrain from applying lotion shortly before passing through security and check product labels to see if a moisturizer contains glycerine.
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Heart medication can cause false positives
Airport security measures are designed to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent potential threats to the aircraft. However, despite meticulous procedures and advanced scanning technologies, false positives can occur. A false positive refers to when an object or substance is mistakenly flagged as a threat or prohibited item. This can be triggered by the presence of trace amounts of substances commonly associated with explosive materials, such as glycerine, which is found in some lotions and soaps.
Heart medication can also cause false positives at airport security. Some heart medications contain nitroglycerine, a chemical also found in explosives. This means that passengers taking such medication could inadvertently set off the explosives detectors. Similarly, those who regularly come into contact with nitroglycerine, such as paramedics, could also trigger false positives.
Instances of false positives due to heart medication are rare but have been reported at larger airports in the US. It is important to note that the scanning equipment used at airports is highly sensitive and can detect even the tiniest traces of certain substances. While false positives can be stressful for passengers, security personnel are trained to handle such situations and conduct additional screening if necessary.
To minimise the chances of a false positive when travelling with prescription medication, it is advisable to keep the medication in its original container and carry a doctor's note or prescription. Additionally, informing security personnel in advance about any medical implants or devices, such as pacemakers, can help prepare them for additional screening procedures and ensure the safety of all passengers.
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Lotion and cosmetics can trigger tests
Airport security can be stressful, especially when you have to worry about harmless items like lotion and cosmetics potentially triggering explosives tests. While instances of false triggers are rare, they have occurred at major airports in the US, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. So, how can lotion and cosmetics trigger these tests?
Lotion and cosmetics can sometimes contain ingredients that are also used in explosives, causing a false positive during screening. One such ingredient is glycerin, which is commonly found in hand lotion, cosmetics, and even drugs. Glycerin has been known to alert the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Explosives Trace Detection technology, leading to further inspection by security agents. While the TSA has acknowledged that false positives due to commonly used items are "not uncommon," the sensitivity of their technology is necessary to detect even the slightest presence of explosives.
Another compound that explosives detectors look for is ammonium nitrate, which is occasionally used in cosmetics as a buffering agent. These nitrate-containing salts can remain on your skin until they are removed, increasing the possibility of triggering an explosives test if you've recently applied lotion or cosmetics containing these compounds. Additionally, chemicals detected by explosives detectors are often present in trace amounts in rare materials, making them challenging to identify and avoid.
To minimize the chances of triggering an explosives test, it is recommended to avoid applying lotion or cosmetics shortly before passing through security. Checking product labels to identify moisturizers containing glycerin can also help. Alternatively, washing your hands before going through airport security can reduce the likelihood of a false positive.
In conclusion, while lotion and cosmetics can trigger explosives tests at airport security, understanding the potential causes and taking preventive measures can help travelers reduce the chances of experiencing a false positive during screening.
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Dense foods like fruitcake trigger alarms
Airport security is a complex and evolving process, with measures in place to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, for example, works closely with intelligence and law enforcement to share information and adjust procedures as needed. As a result, passengers may encounter changes in security processes from time to time.
One aspect of airport security involves screening carry-on and checked baggage for explosives and other prohibited items. Dense foods, such as fruitcake, peanut butter, and other similar items, have been known to trigger alarms during security screening. This is due to the sensitivity of the detection technology, which is designed to identify even trace amounts of explosives.
When dense foods like fruitcake trigger an alarm, it results in a "false positive." This means that the food item is not an actual security threat, but the detection technology has identified something in the food that resembles explosive materials. These false positives can cause delays as security operators must investigate the source of the alarm.
It's important to note that the specific substances that are screened for during airport security are not typically disclosed to the public for security reasons. However, it is known that certain ingredients in everyday items can trigger alarms. For example, glycerine, which is commonly found in beauty products and hand creams, has been reported to set off alarms at airport security. Similarly, certain heart medications containing nitroglycerine can also trigger alarms, as this substance is sometimes found in explosives.
To avoid any issues when travelling with food items, it is advisable to plan and pack accordingly. Checking with the relevant airport or airline authorities before travelling can help clarify any specific restrictions or guidelines. Additionally, being prepared for security screening, such as separating liquids and electronics, can facilitate a smoother process.
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Pat-down procedures after false positives
Airport security has become a topic of discussion among the general public and the government, with concerns about unwarranted government interference, racial profiling, and privacy. Pat-down procedures are a crucial aspect of airport security, often employed as a secondary measure after an initial screening alarm or as part of unpredictable security protocols. These procedures are designed to identify prohibited items or security threats concealed on an individual. Passengers who typically undergo expedited screening may still be subjected to a pat-down.
During a pat-down, a transportation security officer (TSO) of the same gender will use their hands to detect items hidden on a person's body or under their clothes. This may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet, including sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and buttocks. Passengers may be asked to adjust their clothing, and sufficient pressure is applied during the pat-down to ensure effective detection. Officers will communicate the procedure to help passengers anticipate their actions.
Instances of false positives triggering alarms are rare but not uncommon. This can occur due to the sensitivity of the screening technology, which is designed to detect even trace amounts of explosives. Everyday items such as hand creams, soaps, and lotions containing glycerin can trigger false positives, as can certain heart medications containing nitroglycerin. Passengers with recent PET scans may also emit low levels of radiation detectable by the scanners.
If a passenger feels they have been subjected to an inappropriate pat-down search, they can pursue legal action against the TSA, the airport, or an individual officer. Evidence of the occurrence, such as witness statements or video footage, can be crucial for establishing a case. However, to sue for damages, individuals must demonstrate physical harm or economic loss resulting from the incident.
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Frequently asked questions
Toffee is unlikely to trigger a bomb alarm at airport security. However, it is possible for everyday items to set off bomb detectors.
Items that contain glycerine, such as hand creams, soaps, and lotions, can trigger a bomb alarm. This is because glycerine is also used in making bombs. Other examples include heart medication, fertilisers, and dense foods like fruitcakes.
If the screening technology alarms, you may be required to undergo a pat-down procedure. This involves a physical inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet, including sensitive areas. You may also be asked to adjust your clothing during the pat-down.
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