Lois Larson
Millimeter wave scanners are whole-body imaging devices that use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to detect objects hidden beneath a person's clothing. They are commonly used at airport security checkpoints, with approximately 600 mmw scanners in use at airports across the US as of 2012. Airports that have implemented millimeter wave scanners include Oakland Airport in California, Denver International Airport, Ronald Reagan National Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Salt Lake International Airport (SLC), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), Detroit-Wayne County Metropolitan Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Fiumicino Airport in Italy, and Kelowna International Airport in Kelowna, British Columbia.
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What You'll Learn
Millimeter wave scanners vs. backscatter X-ray scanners
Millimeter wave scanners and backscatter X-ray scanners are both used for airport security screening. They can detect items such as weapons, explosives, and other contraband. However, the two technologies differ in several ways.
Millimeter wave scanners use non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which is similar to the radiation emitted by microwaves and Wi-Fi devices. This type of radiation is not known to cause any adverse health effects. The scanners produce detailed 3-D images of passengers by directing millimeter wave energy at the subject and interpreting the reflected energy. Millimeter wave scanners come in two varieties: active and passive. Active scanners emit millimeter wave energy, while passive scanners create images using only ambient radiation and radiation emitted from the human body or objects.
On the other hand, backscatter X-ray scanners use ionizing radiation, which is more energetic than millimeter waves and has a potential mutagenic effect. Backscatter machines produce low-energy X-rays that bounce off a passenger's body and return to detectors on the machine's surface. These scanners typically create 2-D images, and two scans are required for front and back imaging.
In terms of privacy, millimeter wave scanners use Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) software to display a generic body outline with metal and other objects, rather than detailed images of the person's body. Backscatter X-ray scanners were banned in the European Union in 2012 due to health concerns, and as of June 1, 2013, they were removed from use in U.S. airports due to non-compliance with TSA software requirements.
Millimeter wave scanners are used in airports across the U.S. and internationally, including in Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Some specific airports that have used this technology include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Las Vegas International Airport (LAS), Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, and Fiumicino Airport in Italy.
While backscatter X-ray scanners were initially used in some U.S. airports, they have been replaced by millimeter wave scanners or newer backscatter technology in most airports due to health and safety concerns.
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Millimeter wave scanner procedure
Millimeter wave scanners are whole-body imaging devices that use electromagnetic radiation to detect objects hidden beneath a person's clothing. They emit non-ionizing radio waves in the frequency range of 24 to 30 GHz, which is much lower in energy compared to other forms of radiation. These waves pass through clothing and reflect off the skin and any potential threats, such as metallic and non-metallic objects. The reflected signals are then processed by a computer to create a generic outline of the human body with any suspicious items indicated. The entire scanning process typically takes less than 10 seconds and is considered safe, with exposure levels below the accepted safety standards.
Before entering a millimeter wave scanner, passengers are required to remove all items from their pockets, including belts, jewelry, lanyards, and electronic devices. This helps prevent these items from being flagged as suspicious and avoids the need for additional screening. The scanning procedure may vary slightly depending on the specific model and manufacturer of the scanner.
During the scan, individuals are instructed to raise their arms above their heads and remain still inside the machine. The scanner emits millimeter waves that are interpreted by the machine to create an image. If the scanner detects something suspicious, it will indicate this on the generic body outline displayed to security personnel. The passenger's head is usually masked from view for privacy.
Millimeter wave scanners are designed to enhance security by detecting concealed objects without compromising privacy. The use of generic body outlines instead of detailed images addresses privacy concerns raised by earlier full-body scanning technologies. Additionally, passengers who feel that the whole-body scan violates their privacy have the option to opt out of the procedure and undergo alternative screening methods, such as a physical pat-down.
Millimeter wave scanners have been implemented in airports worldwide, including Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Fiumicino Airport in Italy, and Ronald Reagan National Airport in the United States. As of May 2016, there were approximately 800 units deployed at nearly 200 airports across the United States. These scanners are also used in government buildings and courthouses for security screening.
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Millimeter wave scanners and privacy
Millimeter wave scanners use electromagnetic waves in the 24 to 30 GHz range to detect objects concealed under a person's clothing. They are used at security checkpoints in airports to detect contraband, including metallic and non-metallic objects, and prevent them from being taken aboard commercial airliners.
Millimeter wave scanners are capable of peering beneath a person's clothing, and this has raised privacy concerns. People have objected to the idea of strangers seeing intimate details, including evidence of medical procedures such as mastectomies, colostomy appliances, penile implants, and catheter tubes. A representative of the American Civil Liberties Union described whole-body imaging as "nothing more than an electronic strip search."
To address these concerns, the TSA introduced several precautions. One of these involves installing automated target recognition (ATR) software on the scanners. This software renders every subject as a generic outline, with suspicious areas highlighted. If nothing suspicious is detected, the software displays the word "OK" with no image at all. Congress mandated that all AIT units be equipped with ATR software, and as a result, all back-scatter full-body scanners were removed from US airports in 2013 as they could not comply with the new software requirements.
Despite these precautions, concerns remain about alternative ways to capture and disseminate images. There have been reports of full-body scanner images being improperly saved and disseminated. Passengers may also object to anyone viewing them in a state of undress, even if it is not retrievable by the agent next to the machine. Proposed remedies for privacy concerns include scanning only people who are independently detected to be carrying contraband or developing technology to mask genitals and other private parts.
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Millimeter wave scanner safety
Millimeter wave scanners are whole-body imaging devices that use electromagnetic radiation to detect objects concealed under a person's clothing. They are commonly used at airport security checkpoints to detect weapons and other prohibited items. These scanners 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 ambient radiation and radiation emitted from the human body or objects.
Millimeter wave technology does not use X-rays and does not expose individuals to ionizing radiation, which has raised health concerns in the past. Instead, millimeter waves are a form of non-ionizing radiofrequency radiation with significantly lower energy levels than ionizing radiation. This means they are incapable of causing cancers or other adverse health effects beyond those caused by localised heating, such as inflammatory responses.
The safety of millimeter wave scanners has been evaluated by organisations such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. These organisations have established guidelines for safe levels of exposure to millimeter waves, ensuring that the scanners operate within acceptable limits. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also conducts regular testing and maintenance of the equipment to adhere to federal, state, and local safety standards.
While privacy concerns have been raised about full-body scanning technology, measures have been implemented to address these issues. For example, the use of Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) software creates generic body outlines rather than detailed images of individuals, protecting privacy while still allowing for effective security screening. Individuals can also opt for a pat-down search instead of walking through a millimeter wave scanner if they have concerns about the technology.
In summary, millimeter wave scanners used in airports are generally considered safe, with regulatory bodies and government agencies establishing guidelines and conducting regular testing to ensure they do not pose a health risk to passengers and operators. Privacy concerns have been addressed through the use of ATR software and alternatives to scanning, such as pat-down searches.
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Airports using millimeter wave scanners
Millimeter wave scanners are whole-body imaging devices that use electromagnetic radiation to detect objects hidden beneath a person's clothing. They are commonly used at airport security checkpoints to screen passengers for weapons and explosives. These scanners 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 ambient radiation and radiation emitted from the human body or objects.
As of May 2016, there were approximately 800 millimeter-wave scanner units deployed at nearly 200 airports across the United States. Some of the airports that use these scanners include:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Salt Lake International Airport (SLC)
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- Detroit-Wayne County Metropolitan Airport
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Las Vegas International Airport (LAS)
- Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam
- Fiumicino Airport in Italy
- Malpensa Airport in Italy
- Kelowna International Airport in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for ensuring that weapons and explosives do not make it onto commercial airliners. Millimeter wave scanners are one of the technologies they employ to achieve this. These scanners emit non-ionizing radio frequency (RF) waves, which are considered safe for human exposure. The RF waves pass through clothing and bounce off the skin and any potential threats, returning to an array of receiving antennas. The reflected signals are then processed by computer software that identifies potential targets and creates a generic outline of the person's body.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports in the United States that use millimeter-wave scanners include:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Salt Lake International Airport (SLC)
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- Detroit-Wayne County Metropolitan Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Oakland Airport
Additionally, the TSA had installed hundreds of millimeter-wave scanners at airports across the U.S. as of November 2012.
Airports in Europe that use millimeter-wave scanners include:
- Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam
- Fiumicino Airport in Italy
- Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany
- Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom
Millimeter-wave scanners are used in airports and mass-transit systems in several countries outside of Europe, including Canada, Australia, and potentially more airports in Italy and Germany.
