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Recent Comments:
TSA workers are blaming body scanners for cancer; D.C. public interest group calls for independent reviews {Gadling}
Jul 2nd 2011 12:06PM The point you're missing is that, unlike traditional x-rays that disperse the radiation through the entire area of examination, the backscatter targets only the skin. It's the same dose (well, higher depending on the calibration of the machines, which are not uniformly regulated) being focused on a shallower amount of tissue, which is even more potentially damaging. Why play with radiation when the millimeter wave units use safer radio frequency technology?
Well, for that matter, why waste billions to do what a metal detector and bomb dog can for a fraction or the price and the protection of dignity?
TSA workers are blaming body scanners for cancer; D.C. public interest group calls for independent reviews {Gadling}
Jul 2nd 2011 9:15AM It's common sense; why do you think medical technicians and dental hygenists all stand behind lead shielding when operating x-ray equipment ? Radiation builds to dangerous levels in the body after repeated exposure. The TSA has even gone so far as to forbid their employees to wear dosimeters (simple cards that measure radiation exposure over time).
It seems like the safety of the equipment comes second to the profit to be made by the manufacturers of these machines. The former secretary of the DHS, Michael Chertoff, is the one lobbying for the purchase of these machines. He is also the representative for Rapiscan, the primary manufacturer. Money talks.
The "TSA Pokey Pokey" {Gadling}
May 22nd 2011 9:24AM Funny video. To borrow from Jonathan Coulton, "That would be funny if it weren't so sad." It's hard to believe we are subjected to these abuses on a daily basis.
My husband and I no longer fly with the new regulations in place (we returned our honeymoon plane tickets and rented a car instead). It's a shame that those who have to travel for business don't have the ability to opt out of air travel altogether.
