So supposedly, the TSA body scanning machines may cause cancer. For those unfamiliar, the TSA is the Transport Security Administration in the US which is responsible for the ever popular x-ray body scanners that have been responsible for the long lines and many complaints.
New reports say that they may also cause cancer in a very low percentage of people. Now forget for a second all the other problems and complaints about the body scanner’s effectiveness and improper conduct from TSA agents, cancer is a whole different ballgame.
They say it’s a very small percentage, but supposedly the new studies states that anywhere from 6 to 100 people may be getting cancer from airport body scanning machines each year. I don’t know about you, even if it’s a small percentage, cancer isn’t something I want to increase my chances of getting.
I’m not completely convinced about the studies. There are studies both saying that it may be causing cancer, as well as a limited number of studies saying the machines are safe, but there’s one other thing that worries me:
The body scanning machines do not have to be tested by medical x-ray evaluations and standards.
How did these machines get approved then?
The problem is that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) which would normally test and regulate x-ray machines, is only responsible for medical x-ray machines. It seems that these machines are not for medical use and therefore do not have to be tested and regulated by the FDA.
Not to mention, medically, many doctors are against any x-ray radiation that isn’t necessary, due to evidence that shows radiation is cumulative, meaning ANY radiation increases your chance of cancer. The logic that the TSA has used is that the amount of radiation you get exposed to is only 1/10th that of a chest x-ray, therefore it must be “safe”.
This is one of those things where I’d rather avoid any additional radiation over what I’m already exposed to, especially when it’s not regulated by medical standards. So, opt for the body pat down instead. You avoid going through the machine AND you get to be touched in your lower regions… =/
Some people might enjoy getting their lower regions touched by TSA personnel… not me… but some people… maybe.
– Jed