Airport X-Rays: Damaging Film Or Safe Passage?

It's a common concern for film photographers that airport X-ray scanners will damage their unprocessed film. While the impact of X-rays on film is a legitimate issue, the machines used to scan carry-on luggage use a very low level of radiation, so are unlikely to cause any damage to film less than ISO 800. However, the impact of X-rays is cumulative, so it's important to consider the number of scans your film will go through. Checked baggage goes through even stronger X-ray scanning, so it's recommended to keep unprocessed film in carry-on luggage.

X-rays can fog film, causing colour streaking or deterioration of image quality

X-ray scanners used in airports can fog film, causing colour streaking or deterioration of image quality. This is due to the photoreactivity of silver halides, which give film its photo-taking ability but also make it sensitive to damage from other types of radiation, including X-rays. The radiation from the scanners can leave a fog-like effect on the film, which appears as colour streaking or a general deterioration of the image. This damage is cumulative, meaning that the more times a film passes through an X-ray scanner, the more likely it is to be damaged.

The type of film also affects its susceptibility to damage. High-speed films (ISO 800 or higher) are more prone to fogging than lower-speed films. Additionally, the orientation of the film relative to the X-ray beam can impact the extent of the damage. If the film is oriented in such a way that the radiation passes through the entire roll, it may result in a wavy band travelling through the entire length of the film, which can be highly noticeable.

To minimise the risk of fogging, it is recommended to keep unprocessed film in carry-on luggage and request a hand inspection whenever possible. This is because checked baggage typically goes through stronger X-ray scanning, which is more likely to damage the film. Most airport X-ray machines for carry-on luggage are not strong enough to cause noticeable damage to film with a single pass, but the cumulative effect of multiple scans can lead to fogging.

It is worth noting that not all airports use the same type of scanning equipment. The newer CT (computerized tomography) scanners, which use more powerful X-rays, are more likely to cause fogging, even after a single scan. Therefore, it is advisable to inquire about the type of scanners used at the airport and always request a hand inspection if possible to avoid potential damage to your film.

The effect of X-rays on film is cumulative

The effect of X-rays on film is indeed cumulative. This means that the damage caused by X-rays to film builds up over time. While a single pass through an X-ray machine may not cause noticeable damage, multiple scans can lead to foggy film and image degradation. This is because the radiation from the X-ray machine leaves what is called "fog" on the film, which can appear as colour streaking or general deterioration of image quality.

The cumulative effect of X-rays on film is particularly relevant for photographers who travel through multiple airports or undergo several security checks, as the number of scans can increase the likelihood of damage. To minimise the potential for harm, photographers are advised to keep their unprocessed film in carry-on luggage and request hand inspections whenever possible.

The type of film also plays a role in its susceptibility to X-ray damage. In general, slower film types (below ISO 800) are less likely to be affected by X-ray machines, while faster films or those with a higher ISO speed are more prone to fogging. Additionally, the orientation of the film relative to the X-ray beam can impact the extent of damage, with some orientations resulting in a wavy band of fog travelling through the entire roll of film, which can be highly detrimental to the final image.

It is worth noting that not all airport scanners use X-rays. Some newer airports have started to employ CT (computerized tomography) scanners, which utilise much more powerful X-rays and are more likely to cause fogging and distortion. As such, photographers should be aware of the type of scanner being used at their departure airport and, if possible, request a hand inspection to avoid any potential damage to their unprocessed film.

Slower film types (below ISO 800) are generally fine through X-ray machines

Slower film types (ISO 800 and below) are generally safe from damage when passing through airport X-ray machines. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises that its X-ray machines will not affect film with a speed lower than ISO 800. This is because slower film types are less sensitive to radiation.

In fact, a YouTuber and film photographer, Bryan Hong, put this theory to the test. He exposed several different film types to X-ray scanners multiple times, including Ilford HP5 Plus 800 (8 times). Notably, the only film that sustained damage was the roll of Kodak T-Max P3200, which has a speed of 3200 ISO—and even then, only after being X-rayed 19 times.

However, it is important to note that the effect of X-ray exposure is cumulative. So, if you are travelling through multiple airports and your film will be exposed to X-rays more than five times, you may want to take extra precautions.

Additionally, while slower film types are generally safe from X-ray machines used for carry-on luggage, they may still be damaged by the stronger X-ray machines used for checked baggage. Therefore, it is recommended to always keep your unprocessed film with you in your carry-on luggage.

If you are concerned about potential damage, you can request a hand inspection of your film at airport security. However, this option is not always available, especially at non-US airports. Alternatively, you can purchase a lead-lined bag to protect your film, although these may trigger the inspection process and cause your baggage to be pulled aside for additional checks.

Checked baggage goes through stronger X-ray scanning than carry-on luggage

It is true that checked baggage goes through stronger X-ray scanning than carry-on luggage. This is because checked baggage is loaded onto the plane as cargo and therefore poses a higher security risk. The X-ray scanners used for checked baggage emit higher-energy X-rays that can fog unprocessed film.

The X-ray machines used for carry-on luggage, on the other hand, use a very low level of X-radiation that will not cause noticeable damage to most films. However, it's important to note that the TSA advises that its X-rays will not affect film less than ISO 800. So, if you are travelling with film that is ISO 800 or higher, you may want to request a hand inspection of your carry-on baggage.

If you are travelling with unprocessed film, it is recommended that you do not place it in your checked baggage. Instead, keep it in your carry-on luggage and request a hand inspection if necessary. You can also purchase lead-lined bags from photo retailers, which can help to weaken the X-radiation on film and reduce potential harm. However, it's important to check with the manufacturer to ensure that their products are effective against airport X-ray devices, as the effectiveness of lead bags depends on various factors such as the intensity of the X-ray generator and the thickness of the lead.

Additionally, if you are travelling through multiple X-ray examinations (more than 5 times), you may want to consider shipping your unprocessed film separately through an expedited carrier. This will help ensure that your film is not damaged by the X-ray scanners.

CT scanners are more harmful to film than X-ray machines

The use of CT scanners at airports has become more widespread since 2020. These scanners are different from X-ray machines and pose a greater risk to film photographers. While X-ray machines use a single beam of radiation to create a 2D image, CT scanners use multiple radiation beams to generate a 3D image, resulting in a higher radiation dose. This increased radiation can cause fogging on negatives, leading to a loss of detail and colour accuracy, especially in the shadow areas of images.

Although the impact of CT scanners on film has been a concern for photographers, independent testing by photographic companies has confirmed that CT scanners are indeed more harmful than traditional X-ray machines. These tests revealed that CT scanners can lead to deterioration in image quality, even for slower exposure films. Both unexposed and exposed unprocessed films are affected by CT scanners, while processed films remain unaffected.

To avoid potential damage to film when passing through airport security, photographers should never pack unprocessed film in checked baggage. It is recommended to carry all photographic film in clear plastic resealable bags and request hand inspections where CT scanners are in use. However, as hand inspections cannot be guaranteed at all airports, it is advisable to contact the airport in advance. If hand inspections are unavailable, alternate arrangements, such as purchasing and developing film locally, may be considered.

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