Owais Crawford
Airport X-ray scanners have evolved with technological advancements, with some airports in Europe and the USA adopting new CT scanners that utilize multiple radiation beams to generate 3D images of scanned objects. While these scanners offer improved safety, they may pose concerns for items sensitive to radiation, such as film rolls. Traditional X-ray machines employ a single beam of radiation and typically affect film by causing fogging on negatives, resulting in reduced detail and colour accuracy. In contrast, the higher radiation dose emitted by CT scanners can lead to substantial detail loss in shadowed areas of images with tight exposure and significant grain. As a result, photographers and musicians travelling with film or sensitive equipment may be concerned about potential damage from airport X-ray scanners, particularly with the increasing adoption of more powerful CT scanning technology at busier airports.
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What You'll Learn
CT scanners emit higher radiation doses
I could not find specific information on whether airport X-rays will damage guitar tuners. However, sources suggest that airport X-rays can damage items with electronic components, which may include guitar tuners. To be safe, it is recommended to keep guitar tuners and other accessories in a separate pocket or bag. Additionally, it is always a good idea to inspect your guitar and accessories before and after travelling to identify any potential damage.
Regarding CT scanners, it is true that they emit higher radiation doses compared to traditional X-rays. CT scanning, or computed tomography, utilizes ionizing radiation, which is a form of high-energy radiation that can penetrate tissue to create detailed images of the body's internal structures. This type of radiation has the potential to damage DNA, leaving small areas of "misrepair" that could contribute to cancer development later in life.
The radiation dose from a CT scan varies depending on the body part being scanned and the use of contrast agents. For example, a chest CT scan delivers 7 mSv of radiation, which is significantly higher than the 0.1 mSv delivered by a chest X-ray. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans with contrast can deliver even higher doses, up to 20 mSv. This is equivalent to approximately seven years' worth of background radiation exposure.
While the benefits of CT scans in diagnosis and treatment often outweigh the risks, it is important to be mindful of the potential dangers. The risk of cancer increases with the number of CT scans a person undergoes, especially in children who are more sensitive to radiation and have more years ahead of them for potential effects to manifest. As such, it is recommended to limit CT scans to when they are absolutely necessary and explore alternative imaging methods, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, whenever possible.
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Traditional X-ray scanners can fog film negatives
While there is no explicit information on whether airport X-rays will damage guitar tuners, there are precautions you can take to ensure the safety of your guitar and its accessories. It is recommended to loosen your guitar strings to avoid them snapping due to temperature changes and jostling. You should also cushion your guitar with fabric, bubble wrap, or old newspapers, and consider a two-way humidity control kit to protect against temperature changes and humidity. All accessories, such as tuners, should be kept in a separate pocket or bag.
Now, regarding traditional X-ray scanners and their ability to fog film negatives, it is important to understand the potential risks. Traditional X-ray scanners can indeed fog film negatives, and this damage is cumulative. While airport authorities claim that film with an ISO rating of 800 or lower is generally safe from harm, this threshold may not always be accurate. Even film with an ISO of 400 can be affected by multiple scans. The type of damage caused by X-rays includes foggy or noisy bands across the film, reduced shadow detail, and colour shifts, especially greenish hues. To protect your film, always carry it in your hand luggage and request a hand check. Do not put film in checked baggage, as the scanners used for checked bags emit higher levels of radiation that can cause irreversible damage. Additionally, consider using a lead-lined film bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" pouch to further safeguard your film.
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Carry-on luggage is usually scanned with CT scanners
Carry-on luggage is typically screened using CT scanners, which are larger versions of the X-ray systems used for carry-on items. These scanners are designed to "significantly improve scanning and threat-detection capabilities for carry-on bags". They are capable of calculating the mass and density of individual objects in a bag and can detect potential hazardous items.
CT scanners create a detailed tomogram (slice) of the bag by revolving an X-ray mechanism slowly around the bag. This allows the scanner to record the resulting data and create a 3D image. The scanners are able to detect anomalies and flag potential issues, such as dangerous materials or atypical behaviour, which could indicate a security risk.
While CT scanners are slower than traditional X-ray machines, they offer enhanced security and efficiency. Passengers are not required to remove items from their carry-on baggage, which can improve the overall efficiency of the security process. However, the new technology has caused some initial confusion and slowed down the screening process as passengers and staff adjust to the new systems.
CT scanners are being rolled out across airports worldwide, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States replacing old screening lanes with CT scanners at over 200 security checkpoints. As of 2025, the TSA had deployed 983 CT units in 254 airports, with plans to add more in the future.
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Checked luggage is often scanned with traditional X-ray scanners
X-ray scanners can detect objects by measuring their mass and density, and they can identify metallic and non-metallic objects, as well as organic materials. They are also capable of detecting paper, such as currency, especially if it is bundled or arranged in a way that differs from the norm. While the technology behind these scanners is complex, the process of scanning luggage is straightforward. Luggage is placed inside the scanner, which then releases X-rays that pass through the bag to create an image.
It is important to note that checked luggage is typically subjected to higher-powered X-ray scanners than carry-on luggage. These powerful scanners can cause damage to certain items, such as unprocessed film. Photographers travelling with film are advised to request a hand-check to avoid potential damage. Additionally, it is recommended to keep items like guitar tuners in a separate pocket or bag from fragile items like guitars, as checked luggage may not always be handled with great care.
To protect your guitar, it is advisable to loosen the strings, as temperature changes and jostling could cause them to snap. Wrapping the guitar in fabric or bubble wrap can provide cushioning and prevent scratches or bumps. Investing in a hard-shell case is also recommended for checked guitars, as it offers better protection from potential damage during transit. It is also a good practice to inspect your guitar before handing it over to the airline and take pictures to document its pre-flight condition, which can help in making a damaged items claim if necessary.
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Traditional X-ray scanners are stronger and can ruin film
Traditional X-ray scanners emit ionizing radiation, which can penetrate and alter the structure of photographic film. This radiation can expose and damage film, ruining any images that were captured on it. The intensity of traditional X-ray scanners is higher than that of modern airport scanners, which are designed to minimise radiation exposure to travellers and staff.
Airport X-ray machines used for scanning luggage are typically low-powered and are unlikely to affect items such as guitar tuners. However, traditional X-ray scanners used in medical settings or industrial applications can be much stronger and more intense.
The impact of traditional X-ray scanners on film is significant due to the radiation they emit. The radiation in traditional X-ray machines is strong enough to pass through human tissue and solid objects, and this intensity can easily affect light-sensitive film. The film's emulsion layer, which contains silver halide crystals, is particularly susceptible to radiation.
When film is exposed to the radiation from a traditional X-ray scanner, the photons in the X-rays can interact with the silver halide crystals, causing them to change structure and become darkened or "exposed". This exposure creates black spots or fogging on the film, rendering it useless for capturing clear images.
To protect film from damage caused by traditional X-ray scanners, travellers were often advised to request a hand inspection of their film by airport security staff. However, with the widespread use of digital cameras and the decline in film photography, this is less of a concern for modern travellers.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unlikely that airport X-rays will damage your guitar tuner.
If your lock is not TSA-approved, there is a chance it will be broken when you retrieve your guitar.
You can use duct tape or gaffer tape to secure the latches and keep them from opening.
No, guitars are designed to function with strings under appropriate tension. Detuning may damage the neck over time.
Book direct flights to minimise the risk of your guitar being mishandled or going missing.
