U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The TSA uses x-ray machines to screen carry-on items and checked luggage. TSA x-ray equipment must meet the FDA requirements (see below) to limit passenger and worker exposure to radiation. TSA's occupational safety and health professionals adhere to specifications that meet the FDA requirements for screening equipment. They test the equipment when it is set up and may bring in outside specialists to test it as needed. In addition, TSA maintains the equipment and keeps it in good working order. At least once a year, the equipment is tested to make sure it meets federal, state and sometimes local safety standards.
Travel Tips: Advanced imaging technology
This video provides an overview of airport security scanners and their safety.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) makes sure that all x-ray systems and other radiation-emitting screening equipment are built to use radiation safely. The FDA requires that all machines be correctly calibrated and maintained. Their rules apply to all x-ray equipment at airports as well as medical equipment and other uses of radiation-emitting equipment.
Cabinet X-Ray Systems (Closed X-Ray Systems)
This webpage provides information about cabinet x-ray systems including risks and benefits of their use.
The Health Physics Society (HPS)
The HPS is a group of scientists that research and make recommendations about ionizing and non-ionizing radiation topics. They also produce informational reports, fact sheets, and websites to help people better understand radiation. The Society is established in the United States as an independent nonprofit scientific organization, and is not affiliated with any government, industrial organization or private entity.
Pregnancy and Security Screenings
This webpage addresses concerns regarding the use of airport security scanners while pregnant.
Safety for Security Screening Using Devices That Expose Individuals to Ionizing Radiation
This webpage addressed frequently asked questions about backscatter x-ray systems.
FAQs
The risk of health effects from backscatter x-ray systems and millimeter wave machines is very, very low. However, if you are worried about x-ray or millimeter wave screening, you are not required to walk through these machines. You can ask for a pat-down search instead.
Do airport security scanners use radiation? ›
For more information on non-ionizing radiation, click here
As mentioned above, the United States uses millimeter-wave technology in airport security scans. This form of technology uses low-energy non-ionizing radiation that releases thousands of times less energy than a cell phone.
Does airport security scan your body? ›
Airport Body Scanners: An Overview
Full-body scanner technologies used for airport security around the world fall into three main categories: x-ray, millimeter wave and infra-red. These security tools can detect concealed objects without requiring physical contact or clothing removal.
Why does my groin get flagged at TSA? ›
Metal Objects: If you have metal objects in your crotch area, such as zippers, buttons, or belt buckles, they can trigger the scanner to highlight that specific area for further inspection [1].
What do they scan for at airport security? ›
Airport scanners are an essential part of modern airport security. They can detect a wide range of items, including weapons, explosives, liquids, sharp objects, pills, as well as any other objects that may be hidden on a person's body.
Can TSA see my tampon? ›
Can you see a tampon during an airport body scan? This is a frequently asked question on Google, and if it's something you're worried about, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Airport body scanners can't see inside the body and therefore can't detect a tampon on a TSA female body scan image.
Is it safe to go through a body scanner every day? ›
Do body scanners emit harmful levels of radiation? No, body scanners using non-ionizing radiation technology do not emit a harmful amount of radiation. They are safe for daily use in schools or workplaces, but if you have concerns, consult a physician.
Can you opt out of TSA body scans? ›
You can tell the TSA agent that you do not wish to go through the scanner. TSA agents are required under TSA policy to honor your request, but might try to encourage or pressure you to go through anyway. To be as clear as possible, say, "I opt out." If you opt out, you will be subject to a “standard pat-down.”
What is the groin anomaly on a TSA scanner? ›
When a body scanner repeatedly highlights a specific area, such as the crotch, it may be due to a variety of factors, including: Clothing and Fabric: Certain types of clothing, fabrics, or folds in clothing can create the appearance of an anomaly in the crotch area on the scanner's image.
Can an airport scanner detect tumors? ›
The scanners can then compose real-time 3D images of tumours that could help direct surgeons and eliminate the need for multiple trial-and-error biopsies to remove cancerous tissue.
In the past, older models of X-ray scanners were even more damaging to film, particularly high ISO films. However, most current machines used for carry-on luggage scanning use a very mild dose of X-rays that is unlikely to cause any damage to your film if it's under 800 ISO.
Does a paper scanner have radiation? ›
Scanners and printer packages are marked with radiation harmful to the body. However, this kind of radiation is not very harmful to the human body, and it is far lower than x-ray.
Is radiation from flying the same as a CT scan? ›
A seven hour airplane trip exposes passengers to 0.02 mSv of radiation, which is a fraction of the exposure of a standard Chest x-ray (0.1 mSv). Domestic airline pilots are exposed to an additional 2.2 mSv per year, about the same dose as a brain CT.
Do suitcases hold radiation? ›
The radiation dose to your luggage is about the same, you can eat or drink anything that was in your luggage without concern, you can stand by the machine, and you can work by the machine—all with no worry.
