Owais Crawford
Airport body scanners are used to detect potential threats, such as weapons or explosives, by scanning for abnormalities or bulges on passengers. While metal items are a common culprit for setting off alarms, other factors like medical issues, piercings, dense fabrics, and even hairstyles can also trigger false alarms. Understanding the reasons behind frequent alerts can help passengers make more informed choices when travelling, reducing frustration and stress during security checks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Metal items | Watches, belts, jewellery, buttons, earrings, zippers, etc. |
| Non-metal dense objects | Headbands, underwire bras, sequins, embroidery, etc. |
| Medical devices | Pacemakers, insulin pumps, etc. |
| Medical conditions | Lipomas, lipodystrophy, obesity, cysts, hernias, etc. |
| Hairstyles | Afros, braids, dreadlocks |
| Clothing | Baggy clothes, drawstrings, pockets, piercings, etc. |
| Personal hygiene products | Tampons, menstrual cups, etc. |
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Metal objects
Airport body scanners use millimeter wave technology to detect metallic and non-metallic threats. The machines send waves through clothing, which reflect off the skin and any concealed items, creating an image for interpretation. This technology can also detect medical devices, so it is important to inform a TSO before entering the scanner if you have any such devices on your person.
The sensitivity of airport scanners can vary, and some items may set them off depending on the settings. For example, a headband or underwire bra could potentially trigger the scanner. It is always a good idea to check and remove any metallic items before passing through a body scanner to avoid any inconvenience.
In addition to metal detectors and body scanners, the TSA also uses X-ray machines to screen carry-on items and checked luggage. These X-ray systems are designed to meet FDA requirements and limit radiation exposure to passengers and workers.
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Non-metal objects
While metal detection remains a priority, non-metallic materials are increasingly being used to create weapons and other threats. Many modern security risks involve materials that do not trigger traditional metal detectors. Advanced X-ray scanners can identify non-metallic objects by analyzing their shape, density, and other visual cues. Plastics and ceramics are particularly challenging to detect with older security systems.
Liquid and gel-based explosives are one of the most well-known threats in airport security. Airport scanners are designed to flag liquids, gels, and aerosols that exceed certain volume limits. Explosives can be composed of a wide variety of materials, many of which are organic. Scanners need to differentiate between harmless organic substances and dangerous compounds. Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) identify the molecular makeup of explosives by analyzing how organic compounds absorb X-rays, which helps detect even trace amounts.
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Medical issues
Airport scanners use radiofrequency waves to scan for abnormalities or bulges on passengers. Harmless medical issues such as lipomas (fatty lumps), lipodystrophy (abnormal fat distribution), and scar tissue may set off airport scanners. In one case, a female passenger with a skin cyst was suspected of hiding an explosive device and was subjected to invasive security searches. She then started travelling with a doctor's note to avoid the searches. Another case involved a man with a protrusion in his groin area who was interrogated and subjected to a genital exam.
Millimeter wave machines use low-energy non-ionizing radiofrequency waves to detect unusual objects on passengers. These machines emit far less energy than a cell phone. Metal detectors use non-ionizing radiation to scan for hidden items and ignore very small amounts of metal, like buttons or small earrings. Backscatter machines use very low-energy x-rays to detect weapons or explosives under clothing.
If you have a medical condition that might set off airport scanners, it is advisable to obtain a doctor's note to avoid invasive searches. This is especially important for any external skin lesion larger than 2 inches and located under the clothes. However, a TSA agent may still perform a pat down to ensure passenger safety.
Additionally, it is important to take precautions when flying with certain medical conditions. For example, individuals with lymphedema are advised to move around, perform ankle circles, and move their legs and arms to promote lymph fluid circulation. Deep breathing and staying hydrated are also recommended. Compression socks can help prevent leg swelling during long periods of sitting.
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Hair and clothing
Airport body scanners use advanced imaging technology (AIT) to perform full-body scans and detect metallic and non-metallic threats. These machines use millimeter waves, which pass through clothing and reflect off the skin, creating an image that is then interpreted by the scanner.
While these scanners can detect items such as firearms, knives, and other metallic objects, they may also be set off by certain hair and clothing choices. For instance, individuals with afros, braids, or dreadlocks are more likely to trigger false alarms. This is due to the way the scanners use radiofrequency waves to detect abnormalities and bulges on passengers.
In addition to hair styles and types, clothing choices can also set off airport scanners. Inconsistencies in fabric density may suggest the presence of a suspicious object, leading to further screening. Similarly, certain items of clothing, such as underwire bras, headbands, and belts, can trigger the scanners, depending on their sensitivity. Wearing baggy clothes or having piercings in the groin area may also lead to additional screening.
To avoid setting off airport scanners, individuals can opt for clothing with consistent fabric density and avoid metallic accessories. It is also important to be aware of certain hairstyles that may trigger the scanners, particularly those that create volume or unusual shapes, such as large afros.
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Airport scanner type
Airport body scanners have been in use since 2007 to detect objects on or inside a person's body, without physically removing clothes or making physical contact. They are used to detect if a passenger is carrying a weapon, explosives, or other items that pose a security threat.
There are three distinct technologies used in full-body scanners:
- Millimeter Wave Scanners: These use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the extremely high-frequency (EHF) radio band, which is a lower frequency than visible light. They are similar to the technology used by wireless data transmitters. These scanners do not generate ionizing radiation, and there are currently no proven adverse health effects, though long-term studies are lacking. They come in two varieties: active and passive. Active scanners direct millimeter wave energy at the subject and interpret the reflected energy, while passive systems create images using only ambient radiation and radiation emitted from the body or objects.
- Backscatter X-Ray Scanners: These use very low-energy X-rays that are reflected back to the machine to detect objects hidden under clothing. They are considered ionizing radiation, which raises concerns about possible health effects. As of June 1, 2013, these scanners were removed from use in U.S. airports due to non-compliance with TSA software requirements.
- Metal Detectors: These use non-ionizing radiation to detect hidden metal objects. They are designed to ignore very small amounts of metal, such as buttons or small earrings.
Regardless of the technology used, there are several reasons why individuals may frequently set off airport body scanners:
- Forgetting to remove metallic items such as watches, belts, or jewelry.
- Higher body fat content, which may show up as abnormalities or bulges on scans.
- Certain hairstyles like afros, braids, or dreadlocks can trigger false alarms.
- Medical conditions or prosthetics that create abnormalities in scans, such as colostomy bags or breast prostheses.
It is important to note that while these scanners have raised health concerns, regulations like ANSI 43.17.2009 in the context of civilian airports aim to limit radiation exposure on a per-person basis. Additionally, the U.S. Congress has prohibited the display of detailed body images, requiring the use of generic body outlines instead.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a number of reasons why airport scanners may be triggered. The most common reason is that you have forgotten to remove a metallic item, such as jewellery, a belt, or a watch. Other items that may set off a scanner include headbands, piercings, and underwire bras. Scanners are also triggered by inconsistencies in fabric density, which may suggest the presence of a suspicious object.
Airport scanners are used to detect if a passenger is carrying a weapon or explosives. They can detect both metallic and non-metallic objects. They also scan for abnormalities or bulges on passengers, which may indicate a medical problem.
If an airport scanner is triggered, you will be pulled aside for a more detailed check. This may involve a pat-down or body search. In the case of children, TSA has put measures in place to reduce the need for pat-downs.
