Owais Crawford
Airport body scanners are used to detect objects on or inside a person's body for security screening purposes, without physically removing clothes or making physical contact. They can detect non-metal objects, which became a concern after various airliner bombing attempts in the 2000s. Some scanners can also detect swallowed items or items hidden in body cavities. In the UK, the scanners may be breaking the Protection of Children Act of 1978 by creating images or pseudo-images of nude children. While there are privacy safeguards in place, such as the use of avatars and stick figures to protect passenger identity, there are still concerns about the potential health risks of radiation exposure and the accuracy of these machines. Racial profiling and discrimination have also been reported, with people from ethnic minorities up to 42 times more likely to be stopped by police at UK airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Security screening to detect objects on or inside a person's body |
| Detection | Can detect non-metal objects and metal objects |
| Privacy | Does not show naked body on screen; generic images of a body are generated instead |
| Safety | No known health risks; emits very low power electromagnetic radiation |
| Speed | Takes a few seconds |
| Alternative | A private search can be requested instead of a body scan |
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What You'll Learn
Body scanners use Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT)
AIT scanners use Automated Threat Recognition (ATR) software to identify any areas where prohibited items may be concealed. These areas are then flagged on a standardised stick-figure or 'gingerbread man' image for a security officer to review. The officer will then decide if a physical search is required. If no threats are detected, the officer will only see a screen reading "OK".
The millimetre wave scanners can detect a wide range of metallic and non-metallic objects, including items hidden in body cavities. They cannot, however, see anything inside the body, such as tampons. While older machines used backscatter technology, which showed naked images of passengers, these have been replaced with newer machines that generate generic images of a body, ensuring privacy for all passengers.
In the UK, there have been concerns that body scanners may be breaking the Protection of Children Act of 1978 by creating images or pseudo-images of nude children. Despite this, children are required to be screened by security scanners if selected, to ensure their safety and prevent potential exploitation by terrorists.
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They detect metallic and non-metallic objects
Airport body scanners are used to detect objects on or inside a person's body for security screening purposes, without physically removing clothes or making physical contact. They can detect both metallic and non-metallic objects, including those hidden in body cavities, addressing concerns raised by various airliner bombing attempts in the 2000s.
Millimetre wave scanners, one of the three distinct technologies used in practice, employ non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation similar to that used by wireless data transmitters. This technology is considered safe, with the energy emitted being 10,000 times less than what is permitted by standard cellphones. It is also certified as safe for pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants. The waves are reflected off the skin and are not absorbed, ensuring no internal imaging occurs.
Some older machines used backscatter technology, which allowed officers to see under clothing. However, these machines have been replaced with newer versions that prioritize passenger privacy. Today's millimetre wave machines do not display nipples or genitalia and do not pick up size, weight, or height. Instead, they generate generic body outlines with boxes indicating areas of concern.
The use of Automated Threat Recognition (ATR) software further enhances privacy. This software identifies potential threat areas, which are then flagged on a standardised stick-figure on a screen for further review by security officers. If a physical search is required, it will be conducted in private, and passengers can request an officer of the same gender to ensure comfort and respect.
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Scanners do not show naked bodies on screen
Airport body scanners use Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) for full-body scans at airport checkpoints. They use millimetre wave scanners, which emit very low-power electromagnetic radiation—a lower frequency than visible light. This radiation is reflected off the skin and is not absorbed by the body. The machines send millimetre waves towards a passenger's insides, detecting a wide range of metallic and non-metallic items. They can also detect items inside body cavities or swallowed items.
Despite the technology's ability to 'see through' clothing, the scanners do not show naked bodies on screen. Older machines used in the past did allow officers to see under clothing, but the officer viewing the scan was located away from the checkpoint and could not see the passenger.
Today, privacy protections are in place. Scanners now generate generic images of a body, with a box representing the area where a potential threat has been detected. This is usually a 'gingerbread man' or 'stick-figure' style image, and no bodily features or skin will be seen. If no threat is detected, the officer will only see a screen reading 'OK'.
In the UK, the use of scanners that create images or pseudo-images of nude bodies may be breaking the Protection of Children Act of 1978, as it may violate child pornography laws.
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Scanners use Automated Threat Recognition software
Scanners use Automated Threat Recognition (ATR) software to identify any areas where prohibited items may be concealed. This software works in conjunction with millimetre wave imaging technology, which detects a wide range of metallic and non-metallic threats.
The millimetre waves are reflected off the surface of the skin and are not absorbed. They do not see nipples or genitalia, and they do not pick up size, weight or height. The technology is safe for pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants such as pacemakers. The energy emitted by millimetre wave technology is 10,000 times less than what is permitted by the standard cellphone.
If the ATR software identifies a potential threat, it flags this on a standardised stick-figure on a screen. A security officer can then conduct a further targeted hand search of the identified areas. The officer will not have seen the passenger's unique image, only a generic 'gingerbread man' or 'mannequin' style avatar.
The UK's Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines state that the scan only takes a few seconds and is completely safe. The guidelines also state that passengers can opt for a private search instead of a body scan. This involves a thorough hand search, which may involve removing or loosening clothing. Passengers can request that the search is conducted by a security officer of the same sex.
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Scanners are safe and emit low radiation
While airport body scanners have been the subject of some controversy, with concerns raised about the safety of the technology, it is important to note that these scanners emit very low levels of radiation. The amount of radiation exposure from airport scanners is extremely low compared to other sources of radiation that individuals frequently encounter, such as dental and chest x-rays, or even everyday items like granite countertops and bananas.
Millimeter wave scanners, one of the two primary types of body scanners used in airports, emit non-ionizing radiation in the form of extremely low-energy waves. These waves are similar to those used by wireless data transmitters and are in the extremely high-frequency (EHF) radio band, which is a lower frequency than visible light. The energy emitted by these scanners is reflected back from the body and any concealed objects, creating a generic image for analysis. Millimeter wave scanners do not generate ionizing radiation, which is the type of radiation that can cause biological damage at high enough doses.
The other common type of body scanner, the backscatter X-ray scanner, does utilize ionizing radiation in the form of very low-dose X-rays similar to those used in medical imaging. While ionizing radiation can cause cellular damage, the doses emitted by backscatter X-ray scanners are exceedingly low, and the potential for harm is unknown. According to Dr. Lewis Nelson, a professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, the radiation exposure from airport scanners is "inconsequential" and not something that passengers should be concerned about.
The use of body scanners in airports is motivated by the need to enhance security and prevent incidents like the 2009 smuggling of plastic explosives onto a Detroit-bound flight. While the efficacy and potential health risks of these scanners are valid topics for discussion, it is important to weigh the risks against the benefits they provide. The radiation emitted by airport body scanners is minimal and comparable to the radiation exposure experienced during a flight or from everyday sources. As such, passengers should not fear going through these scans for health reasons, and the scanners can be considered safe for general use.
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Frequently asked questions
Body scanners are used to detect objects on or inside a person's body for security screening purposes, without physically removing clothes or making physical contact. They can detect non-metal objects and items hidden in body cavities.
UK airport body scanners use millimetre wave imaging technology to flag objects that could be concealed under clothing. They do not show a naked body on the screen. Instead, they generate a generic image of a body, like a stick figure or a gingerbread man, with a box representing the area where the scanner picked up something.
The UK government's research has concluded that the scanner is less invasive than a mobile phone or being in the sun. It is also certified as safe for pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants such as pacemakers. The waves are reflected off the skin and are not absorbed.
Yes, passengers can refuse to be screened by a security scanner and request a private search alternative. This involves a thorough hand search and may involve loosening or taking off some clothing.
