Airport X-Rays: Friend Or Foe To Film?

Airport X-rays can be a concern for photographers wanting to protect their shots. The X-ray machines used for security screening emit a small amount of radiation that can fog and damage undeveloped film. The risk is higher with higher-speed films (ISO 800 and above), but even lower-speed films can be affected by multiple exposures to X-rays.

The general consensus is that it is best to carry your film in your carry-on luggage as checked baggage is screened with much stronger X-ray machines that are almost certain to damage film. However, there are also varying opinions on whether X-ray machines damage film. Some people claim that their film has been damaged by airport X-rays, while others claim that their film has been unaffected.

To avoid any potential damage, photographers can request a hand inspection of their film at security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises that its X-rays will not affect film less than ISO 800.

X-ray machines fog and ruin undeveloped film

X-ray machines can fog and ruin undeveloped film. The machines emit a small amount of radiation that can fog and damage undeveloped film. The risk is higher with higher-speed films (ISO 800 and above), but even lower-speed films can be affected by multiple exposures to X-rays.

The X-ray machines used for carry-on luggage are less intense, but they still pose a risk, especially if your film is exposed multiple times during a trip. The scanners used for checked baggage are more powerful than those used in carry-on luggage and will very likely fog your film.

The best way to protect your film is to request a hand inspection. Most countries' security agencies, including the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), allow travellers to request a hand inspection of photographic film. To do this, approach the security checkpoint and politely request a hand inspection, explaining that you are carrying undeveloped film. It is recommended to use a clear bag and to familiarise yourself with the specific regulations of the country you are travelling to and from.

Another option is to use a lead-lined bag, specifically designed to protect film from X-rays. However, these bags are not foolproof, as security might increase the X-ray strength to see through the bag, which could still damage the film. They might also ask to inspect the contents of the bag.

Finally, you could consider developing your film before travelling or mailing it to yourself from your destination.

Carry-on vs checked baggage

When travelling with film, it is important to know the differences between carry-on and checked baggage. The primary problem facing film photographers is that scanners and X-ray machines used for luggage inspection produce light energy to which film is sensitive. These machines can "fog" your film, causing dark spots or waves on the negatives (or light spots on slides) as if the film had been exposed to light.

Carry-on Baggage

X-ray equipment used to inspect carry-on baggage uses a very low level of X-radiation that will not cause noticeable damage to most films. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says that the X-ray machines it uses for carry-on baggage are safe for photographic film up to ISO 800. However, the effects of X-rays are cumulative, and multiple scans may cause fogging.

To avoid this, you can ask for a hand inspection of your film. Security personnel are required to heed your request to hand-check film in the U.S., and the inconvenience is minor. However, when travelling internationally, it is recommended that you check the policies of the country you are visiting, as some countries may refuse hand checks.

Checked Baggage

Checked baggage goes through equipment with higher-energy X-rays that can fog or ruin undeveloped film. The new equipment will fog any unprocessed film that passes through the scanner. The scanners used for checked baggage are more powerful than those used in carry-on luggage and will very likely fog your film.

Thus, it is recommended to never place undeveloped film in checked baggage.

Requesting a hand inspection

Before You Go to the Airport

• It is recommended to always carry your film in your carry-on luggage. This is because the X-ray scanners used for checked baggage are much more powerful and are likely to damage your film.
• If possible, avoid buying "Basic Economy" tickets, as these do not always allow carry-on baggage beyond a small personal item.
• Package your film in a way that makes it easily accessible for inspection. Place your undeveloped film in a clear plastic ziplock bag, and keep the rolls in their original plastic canisters and/or sealed packaging.
• Label the outside of the bag with information such as the film type and ISO speed. This will help you keep track of your film and make it easier for the security officers to inspect.
• If you are travelling with a lot of film, consider dividing it into multiple ziplock bags to facilitate the inspection process.
• If you are travelling internationally, check the policies of the country you are visiting regarding hand-checking film. Some countries may have different regulations and procedures.

At the Airport

• Arrive at the airport a little earlier than usual to allow extra time for the hand inspection process.
• As you approach the security checkpoint, catch the attention of a security officer and politely request a hand inspection for your film. You can say something like, "I have some film (and cameras) I'd like to have hand-inspected, please."
• If asked about the ISO speed of your film, you can either say no or mention that it will be pushed and shot at a higher speed.
• Be patient and polite with the security officers. Remember that their primary responsibility is security, and they may be dealing with a high volume of passengers.
• If you are asked to open the packaging of your film, comply with the request as long as they do not unspool your rolls.
• After walking through the scanners, stand somewhere conspicuous without obstructing the flow of passengers. Your film will typically be checked by the officers inspecting bags that have been pulled for secondary inspection.
• If your film has already been shot, it is still sensitive to light and can be damaged by scanners. Be sure to request a hand inspection for all your film, whether it has been shot or not.

Alternative Options

If you are concerned about potential damage to your film, there are a few alternative options to consider:

• Buy your film at your destination or have it shipped to your hotel or a local relative or friend.
• Get your film developed before your return flight, or mail the exposed rolls back to yourself.
• Use lead-lined film bags that are designed to protect film from X-rays. However, these bags may trigger an alert during the scanning process, leading to additional inspections.

Using a lead-lined bag

The effectiveness of a lead-lined bag depends on several factors, including the intensity and electric potential of the X-ray generator, the thickness of the lead, and the film speed. It's important to check with the manufacturer to determine how effective their lead-lined bag is against airport X-ray devices. Additionally, the use of a lead-lined bag may trigger the inspection process, as it will likely show up as a large dark blob on the scanner screen, leading to additional inspections.

While lead-lined bags can provide some protection for your film, it's always a good idea to be prepared for other scenarios. For example, requesting a hand inspection of your film is often a more reliable method to ensure your film's safety.

It's also worth noting that the impact of X-rays on film is cumulative. The more times film is exposed to X-rays, the greater the potential damage. Therefore, if you're travelling with film, it's advisable to keep it in your carry-on luggage and request a hand inspection whenever possible.

Developing film before travelling

If you're a film photographer, travelling with film can be nerve-wracking. You've likely heard that exposing your film to x-ray scanners could ruin your photos. But is this true?

X-ray machines emit a small amount of radiation that can fog and damage undeveloped film. The risk is higher with higher-speed films (ISO 800 and above), but even lower-speed films can be affected by multiple exposures to X-rays. The newer CT scanners, which use more powerful X-ray technology, can also pose a risk to photographic film of any speed.

However, there is a mix of opinions and anecdotes from people who have travelled with film. Some claim that their film has been damaged, while others say their photos were perfectly fine after going through an X-ray machine. It's worth noting that the X-ray machines used for carry-on luggage are less intense than those used for checked baggage, but they still pose a risk, especially if your film is exposed multiple times during a trip.

So, what's the best way to protect your film while travelling? Here are some tips:

• Develop your film before travelling: Developed film is not sensitive to X-rays, so you won't have to worry about damage. This may not always be practical, especially for long trips or if you're shooting a lot, but it's worth considering.
• Request a hand inspection: The TSA and security agencies in most countries allow travellers to request a hand inspection of photographic film. This is the best way to keep your film safe. Just have all of your film in an easily accessible area and pull it out before your items go through the X-ray. Be polite and prepared, and use a clear bag to make the inspection process smoother.
• Use a lead-lined bag: Lead-lined bags are available specifically for protecting film from X-rays. However, they are not foolproof. Security might increase the X-ray strength to see through the bag, which could still damage the film. They might also ask to inspect the contents of the bag.
• Carry-on vs. checked baggage: Always carry your film in your carry-on luggage. Checked baggage is screened with much stronger X-ray machines that are almost certain to damage film.
• Buy film at your destination: Depending on your destination, you might be able to buy film locally or have it mailed to you. That way, you won't have to worry about exposing your film to X-rays at all.

Frequently asked questions