Owais Crawford
X-ray machines have been used in airports for security purposes for several years. While passengers walk through metal detectors, their carry-on luggage is sent through X-ray scanners, which use electromagnetic waves to penetrate materials and create an image of what's inside the bag. This helps security staff identify suspicious items and ensure the safety of passengers. X-ray scanners have raised concerns about radiation exposure, but the machines are designed with safety measures to protect both workers and travellers from harmful levels of radiation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To check passengers and personal items for dangerous items such as weapons, chemicals, and liquids that are not allowed as carry-on items. |
| Types of Equipment | Metal detectors, backscatter X-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, and cabinet X-ray machines. |
| Radiation Type | Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. |
| Safety Measures | Safety guidelines are in place to prevent exposing workers and travelers to high levels of radiation. |
| X-ray System | Dual-energy X-ray system with a single X-ray source in the range of 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP). |
| Image Display | Items are typically colored based on the range of energy that passes through, with shades of orange representing "organic" as most explosives fall under this category. |
| Operator Training | Machine operators are trained to look for suspicious items, including components of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). |
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What You'll Learn
X-ray safety
X-ray technology has been used in airports for security screening for many years. While it is an effective way to identify dangerous items, concerns have been raised about potential health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
To address safety concerns, regulatory bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have established guidelines for X-ray equipment to limit radiation exposure. The FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) ensures that all X-ray systems are built and maintained to use radiation safely. They require proper calibration, testing, and maintenance of the equipment. Additionally, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) follows guidelines for using different types of screening equipment to maintain safety.
It is important to note that the risk of health effects from X-ray exposure during airport screening is considered very low. Backscatter X-ray systems emit very low-energy X-rays, and the amount of radiation received is equivalent to the cosmic radiation experienced during two minutes of flight. Cabinet X-ray systems used for luggage have safety features like thick cabinet walls and lead curtains to prevent radiation from escaping.
However, some concerns have been raised about the potential health risks of full-body X-ray scanners. In 2010 and 2011, doctors and scientists called for independent reviews of these scanners, citing insufficient data and potential risks, especially for vulnerable groups. As a result, alternative screening methods, such as pat-down searches, are offered to travellers concerned about X-ray exposure.
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How X-rays work
X-ray machines are a crucial component of airport security, allowing for the swift detection of potential dangers without the need to manually inspect each bag. This technology aids in maintaining safety by quickly identifying possible threats.
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light but with much shorter wavelengths and higher energy. This higher energy allows X-rays to pass through most materials, including the fabric and plastic of a suitcase. The machine used in airports usually is based on a dual-energy X-ray system. This system has a single X-ray source sending out X-rays, typically in the range of 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP). KVP refers to the amount of penetration an X-ray makes. The higher the KVP, the further the X-ray penetrates. In a dual-energy X-ray system, the X-rays pass through a detector, a filter, and then another detector.
When a bag is scanned at the airport, it is exposed to a controlled burst of X-ray radiation. As these X-rays pass through the bag, they are absorbed by its contents to varying degrees, depending on the density and composition of the objects inside. Dense materials, like metals, absorb more X-rays, while less dense materials, such as clothing or paper, absorb less. This variation in absorption creates contrast in the X-ray image, allowing different objects inside the bag to be distinguished.
The remaining radiation that passes through the bag is then picked up by a detector, which captures the image based on the absorption levels. This detector converts the absorbed X-rays into a digital image, which displays the contents of the bag in varying shades of grey. Dense items like laptops, batteries, or weapons appear darker, while less dense items like clothes appear lighter. Security officers are trained to analyse these images and identify any suspicious items, including components of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Modern airport scanners have evolved to include advanced techniques that enhance image clarity and detection accuracy. Some airports employ CT scanners, which create 3D images of the bag's contents by taking multiple X-ray images from different angles, offering a more detailed view and making it easier to identify concealed threats.
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X-ray alternatives
X-ray scanners have been used in airports since the early 2000s, with the first full-body scanners supplementing metal detectors in 2007. However, concerns have been raised about the privacy and health risks of X-ray scanners, and some critics argue that they are ineffective at detecting certain threats. As a result, several alternatives to X-ray scanners have been proposed and implemented.
One alternative to X-ray scanners is the use of millimetre wave scanners, which use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the extremely high frequency (EHF) radio band. This type of radiation has a lower frequency than visible light and does not generate ionizing radiation, which can pose health risks. Millimetre wave scanners create a generic outline of a person, without identifying characteristics, to detect suspicious metallic and non-metallic objects. They are now used exclusively by the TSA in the US.
Another alternative is chemical-based scanners and bomb-sniffing dogs, which can detect traces of explosive chemicals. These scanners can be in the form of desktop or handheld devices, or walk-through models, and can analyse cloths swiped over electronic devices or other enclosed spaces.
For individuals who are uncomfortable with full-body scanners, a full-body pat down can be requested as an alternative. However, this option may also be fairly invasive.
Finally, the European Commission has recommended that alternate screening methods should be used for pregnant women, babies, children, and people with disabilities. These methods may include different types of technology or processes that do not involve X-ray exposure.
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X-ray limitations
X-ray technology has been used in airports for several decades to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. While this technology has undoubtedly enhanced security, it is not without its limitations.
Firstly, X-ray systems are limited in their ability to detect certain types of threats. For example, electronic devices such as laptop computers have many different components packed into a small space, making it challenging to determine if a bomb is hidden within. In such cases, additional measures, such as chemical sniffers or manual inspections, may be required to ensure safety.
Secondly, X-ray images can be difficult to interpret accurately. Machine operators must be trained to identify suspicious items, including components of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which can take many different forms. Misinterpretation of X-ray images could lead to either false positives or, more dangerously, the failure to detect a genuine threat.
Another limitation pertains to the varying abilities of different X-ray systems to penetrate materials. The dual-energy X-ray system, which is commonly used in airports, operates within a range of 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP). The KVP value determines the depth of X-ray penetration, with higher KVP values corresponding to greater penetration. This limitation means that certain items or threats may be missed if they are obscured by materials that the X-rays cannot penetrate.
Lastly, while the health risks associated with X-ray radiation in airports are considered very low, there is still a potential impact on the health of travellers and staff. To mitigate this, airports employ various safety measures, including the use of enclosed cabinets and lead curtains to prevent radiation from escaping. Additionally, travellers who are concerned about X-ray exposure can opt for a pat-down search instead of walking through the X-ray machines.
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X-ray screening process
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses X-ray machines to screen carry-on items and checked luggage at airports. The X-ray machines used are typically based on a dual-energy X-ray system, which helps identify objects that may be hidden in passengers' luggage or carried on their person.
Passengers are required to remove all items and place them on the X-ray belt for screening. This includes personal electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles, which are screened separately. TSA officers may also instruct passengers to separate other items, such as food and powders, from their carry-on bags to avoid clutter and allow for clear images on the X-ray machine.
The dual-energy X-ray system involves a single X-ray source sending out X-rays, typically ranging from 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP). The KVP refers to the penetration of the X-ray, with higher KVP resulting in greater penetration. In this system, the X-rays pass through a detector, a filter, and then another detector. The detector picks up the X-rays after they have passed through the item being scanned. The detector then passes the X-rays to a filter, which blocks out the lower-energy X-rays, allowing only the high-energy X-rays to pass through to the second detector. This process helps the machine better represent low-energy objects, such as organic materials.
Different materials absorb X-rays at varying levels, resulting in distinct images on the monitor that allow the operator to identify various items inside the luggage or bag. Items are typically coloured on the display monitor based on the energy range that passes through them, representing categories such as organic, inorganic, and metal. Operators are trained to identify suspicious items, including components that could be used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In addition to X-ray machines, the TSA also employs other screening equipment, such as metal detectors, millimeter wave machines, backscatter X-ray machines, and cabinet X-ray machines. These devices help detect hidden items, ensuring the safety of passengers and staff.
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Frequently asked questions
X-ray machines have been used in airports for several years to screen carry-on items and checked luggage.
X-ray machines used in airports are typically based on a dual-energy X-ray system. This system has a single X-ray source that sends out X-rays, usually in the range of 140 to 160 kilovolt peaks (KVP). The higher the KVP, the further the X-ray penetrates. After passing through the item, the X-rays are picked up by a detector, which then passes them on to a filter that blocks out lower-energy X-rays.
Airport X-ray machines are considered safe for travellers and workers. The amount of radiation from backscatter X-ray systems is very low, equivalent to the cosmic radiation experienced during two minutes of flight. Additionally, safety measures are implemented to ensure travellers and workers are not exposed to high levels of radiation.
Airport X-ray machines are used to scan carry-on items and checked luggage for prohibited items such as weapons, chemicals, and liquids. The X-rays create images of the contents inside luggage, allowing security staff to identify suspicious items.
