Airport Scanners: Can They Damage Flash Drives?

Airport X-ray machines are a common feature of security checks, and many travellers worry about potential damage to their electronic devices. While X-rays can penetrate solid matter, they are generally considered safe for electronic devices, including flash drives. However, some travellers have expressed concerns about potential harm to their devices, particularly regarding data loss or corruption. It is important to differentiate between X-ray damage and physical damage that may occur during the scanning process or due to rough handling.

X-ray machines can't damage flash drives

X-ray machines cannot damage flash drives. While X-rays penetrate solid matter, they will not harm electrical equipment or erase hard drives. You can put your mind at ease as you send your laptop through an airport X-ray machine, as the equipment will not damage its hard drive or any attached flash drives or digital memory cards.

Although X-rays won't harm your electronic devices, other factors could come into play when travelling. For example, if your laptop contains sensitive information, consider encrypting important files or using a drive encryption tool. Additionally, always handle your devices carefully when placing them on the conveyor belt to avoid potential damage from dropping.

It's also worth noting that airport X-ray scanners can damage undeveloped film, causing fogging if the film hasn't been developed yet. However, this issue does not apply to flash drives.

So, while X-ray machines at airports can't damage your flash drives, it's still important to take general precautions to protect your devices and information when travelling.

Other sources of damage during travel

While X-ray scanners at the airport won't damage your flash drive, there are other potential sources of damage when travelling. Here are some precautions to take to avoid damaging your flash drive:

Physical Damage:

Flash drives can be delicate, and rough treatment or physical damage during travel can cause them to stop working. It's important to handle your flash drive with care and avoid exposing it to physical shocks or impacts. Keep your flash drive in a protective case or pouch to cushion it from any potential drops or knocks.

Temperature Extremes:

High temperatures can also reduce the reliability of flash drives over time. Avoid leaving your flash drive in direct sunlight or exposing it to extreme heat. Similarly, very cold temperatures can also affect the performance of flash drives. If you're travelling to a cold climate, make sure to keep your flash drive warm and dry.

Electrical Shorts:

An electrical short can occur if moisture or liquid comes into contact with the drive. Ensure your flash drive is stored in a dry place and consider using a waterproof case for added protection.

Low-Quality Parts or Manufacturing Defects:

Sometimes, flash drives may malfunction due to low-quality parts or manufacturing defects. Using reputable brands and purchasing from authorised retailers can reduce the risk of encountering such issues.

Magnetic Charges:

While flash drives themselves are not sensitive to magnetic charges, if you are travelling with a computer or laptop that contains a hard drive, be cautious when passing through metal detectors. Metal detectors can cause permanent damage to hard drives, so it's recommended to backup all data before travelling and avoid taking your devices through metal detectors whenever possible.

X-rays can damage undeveloped film

Traditional X-ray scanners, which are often used for checked-in luggage, can also ruin undeveloped film. These scanners use a single beam of radiation to pass through an object and create an image on the other side. While carry-on luggage scanning usually uses a very mild dose of X-rays that is unlikely to harm film under 800 ISO, the X-ray scanners used for checked-in luggage often use higher-energy X-rays that can damage film immediately.

To avoid damage to undeveloped film, it is recommended to keep it in your carry-on baggage and request a hand inspection if possible. If you must put your film through an X-ray scanner, you can purchase specialised film bags lined with lead to protect against fogging and streaking.

X-rays are not the only security scans

Metal detectors use magnetic fields to identify metal objects. They create a magnetic field by using a brief pulse of electrical current. If there are any metal objects present, the magnetic field will be reflected back to the machine, and a beeping noise will alert the TSA agent.

Millimeter wave scanners use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the extremely high frequency (EHF) radio band. This is a lower frequency than visible light. Millimeter wave scanners emit far less energy than a cell phone and are important for security as they can show hidden threats such as guns and knives.

Backscatter X-ray scanners use low-dose radiation to detect suspicious metallic and non-metallic objects hidden under clothing, in shoes, and in body cavities. The dosage of radiation received is usually between 0.05 and 0.1 μSv.

Cabinet X-ray systems are used to screen luggage and carry-on items. They have thick walls and lead curtains at entry and exit points to prevent radiation from escaping.

While X-rays do not damage flash drives, it is important to handle all electronic devices carefully when placing them on the conveyor belt for scanning.

X-rays can't damage other electronic devices

X-rays cannot damage your laptop or erase its hard drive, nor will they harm flash drives or digital memory cards. While X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, they are not radioactive and do not cause lingering radiation exposure. The effects of an X-ray are limited to its exposure.

X-rays are ionizing radiation, meaning they have enough energy to knock electrons out of the atoms they come into contact with, creating positively charged ions. In large doses and with frequent exposure, ionizing radiation can harm biological tissue and cell DNA. However, electronics are not made of biological tissue and do not contain DNA, so they are not affected by X-rays in the same way.

Magnetic data storage devices, such as hard drives and floppy disks, are delicate and sensitive to magnets, but they are impervious to all forms of light, including X-rays. Solid-state drives, SD cards, and USB thumb drives use transistors to store data and are also unaffected by X-rays.

Computers, tablets, and mobile phones do not contain any photosensitive materials, so they will not be damaged by X-ray exposure. Cameras and camcorders have photosensitive sensors, but these are protected by shutters and device enclosures, so they are also safe from harm when passing through X-ray machines.

While X-rays will not damage electronic devices, it is important to handle them with care when placing them on the conveyor belt for scanning. Physical damage from dropping or rough treatment is more likely to cause equipment issues than X-ray exposure.

Frequently asked questions