Roberta Aguirre
Airport security systems use a variety of methods to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. These include metal detectors, backscatter x-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, and cabinet x-ray machines. The primary purpose of these machines is to detect unlawful devices and substances such as weapons, explosives, and drugs. Some machines use ionizing radiation, while others use non-ionizing radiation to create images of what is in passengers' luggage. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States employs unpredictable security measures and works closely with law enforcement to share information and adjust its procedures to meet evolving threats. With the recent advancements in technology, CT scanners are also being introduced at airports to improve security outcomes and operational efficiency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To ensure security by identifying threats such as weapons, explosives, and other prohibited items. |
| Types | Metal detectors, backscatter X-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, cabinet X-ray machines, full-body scanners, CT scanners |
| Function | Scanners use X-rays, millimeter waves, or backscatter technology to create images of luggage or passengers, detecting metallic and non-metallic objects. |
| Safety | Designed to emit low levels of radiation to prevent health risks. Safety measures are in place to protect workers and travelers from exposure to high levels of radiation. |
| Privacy | Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) ensures privacy by not displaying naked images of passengers. |
| Efficiency | CT scanners improve efficiency with faster and more accurate threat detection, minimizing false positives. |
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X-ray machines
The X-ray machines used in airports are typically based on a dual-energy X-ray system, which employs a single X-ray source with an energy range of 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP). The KVP value determines the penetration depth of the X-rays. In this system, the X-rays pass through a detector, a filter, and then another detector. The X-rays are then analysed by a computer circuit, which compares the readings from the two detectors to differentiate between low-energy and high-energy objects. This distinction is crucial for identifying organic materials, as most explosives fall into this category.
To ensure the safety of both travellers and staff, X-ray machines used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must adhere to strict guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These guidelines limit the amount of radiation that passengers and workers can be exposed to. TSA conducts regular testing and maintenance of their X-ray equipment to ensure it meets federal, state, and local safety standards.
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Metal detectors
The first metal detectors were invented in the 1920s by Gerhard Fischer, who developed a system of radio direction-finding. Fischer noticed anomalies in areas with ore-bearing rocks and reasoned that if a radio beam could be distorted by metal, a machine could be designed to detect metal. The first patent for an electronic metal detector was granted in 1925, and the first industrial metal detectors were introduced in the 1960s. Today, metal detectors are widely used in airports and other public places to ensure the safety of individuals.
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Full-body scanners
The two types of full-body scanners used are millimeter wave scanners and backscatter x-ray scanners. Millimeter wave scanners emit extremely low-energy waves, similar to the energy emitted by cell phones, and capture the reflected energy. Backscatter x-ray scanners, the more common type in the US, utilize very low-dose x-rays, similar to those used in medical imaging. These scanners emit ionizing radiation, which is reflected back to the machine, to create images of what is in luggage and detect objects that may be hidden by passengers.
The use of full-body scanners in airports has raised concerns about privacy and the potential health risks associated with radiation exposure. While the amount of radiation from these scanners is very low, equivalent to 3 to 9 minutes of normal daily living, and the risk of health effects is considered negligible, some groups have questioned the accuracy of cancer risk estimates. It is important to note that individuals who are particularly vulnerable to radiation effects can opt for alternative security screening protocols, such as a full-body pat-down.
The deployment of full-body scanners in airports is a response to heightened security needs, such as the incident in 2009 where a passenger smuggled plastic explosives in their underwear onto a Detroit-bound flight. As of 2011, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had deployed 486 scanners in 78 airports in the United States, with plans to install approximately 1,000 scanners by the end of that year.
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CT scanners
The data richness of volumetric CT technology enables the systems to make very precise decisions about baggage contents. The best CT scanners can deliver a false alarm rate as low as 5%, but this varies between manufacturers. CT scanners can automatically detect explosives, including liquids, and other prohibited items within the baggage. This is achieved through the integration of AI-driven algorithms, which allow for faster and more accurate threat detection, minimizing the likelihood of false positives and further streamlining the security process.
In terms of safety, the amount of radiation received from a backscatter machine is very low. It equals the amount of cosmic radiation received during two minutes of flight, and the risk of health effects is very low.
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Backscatter machines
However, there has been some controversy surrounding the use of backscatter machines. Some argue that the full-body scanners violate privacy and can be construed as illegal search and seizure. There are concerns about what is seen by the person viewing the scan, and whether this violates confidential medical information. Additionally, the use of such scanners on children may be illegal in some jurisdictions, as it could be considered the creation and distribution of indecent images of minors.
In response to these concerns, the European Union banned the use of backscatter machines in 2012, reserving X-rays for medical use only. The United States also removed all backscatter X-ray machines from airports by May 2013, although the technology is still in use in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the latter as a secondary screening option.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports use a variety of scanning systems to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. These include metal detectors, backscatter X-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, and cabinet X-ray machines.
Scanning systems use X-rays or millimeter waves to detect objects and create images. X-ray machines emit X-rays that penetrate objects and are captured by detectors on the other side. Millimeter wave scanners send waves towards a passenger's body, which reflect off their skin and create an image interpreted by the machine.
Research has shown that airport scanning systems are safe for human use. The amount of radiation emitted by X-ray machines is very low, and in the case of backscatter machines, it equals the amount of cosmic radiation received during two minutes of flight. Additionally, safety measures are in place to prevent the exposure of workers and travelers to high levels of radiation.
