The numbers of full body scanners
As of November, 2010, the estimated number of full body scanners in operation is about 350, and by the end of 2011 we can expect to see over 1000.
Peek-a-boo-we see you!
Because the scanners produced a very graphic image of the human body many are referring to them as "naked" body scanners. The images produced are specific including depiction of one's private parts-like breasts and genitalia. Add to this adult incontinence diapers and sanitary napkins.
The choices are limited
Of course the TSA allows one to opt out of the body scan, but the alternative is just as outrageous-enhanced pat-downs. Age has no bearing on this personal humiliation-children and the elderly are often subjected to groping and pawing by TSA agents. Numerous horror stories are beginning to surface that are causing massive public fury, and why not!
Air travelers in ever increasing numbers are expressing outrage for being subjected to full-body scanning. According to the U.S. Travel Association, hundreds of angry e-mails and phone calls are overwhelming their ability to respond. Many irate travelers are threatening to cut out traveling until these intrusive electronic devices are removed.
They tell us that the scanners are safe.
Both the scanner manufacturers and various government officials tell us that full-body scanning is perfectly safe. Hmmm-what else would you expect them to say?
It is interesting to note that no other country in the world has adopted this intrusive method of ensuring security, leaving Americans the only ones being asked to endure such humiliation.
As WeWontFly.com stated: "Back scatter X-ray (the technology used in these scanners) uses ionizing radiation, a known cumulative health hazard, to produce images of passengers' bodies. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with defective DNA repair mechanisms are considered to be especially susceptible to the type of DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation."
There are also fears that those who have had, or currently have, skin cancer are at high risk.
A shocking revelation
From a health standpoint-just what are the dangers from the radiation exposure of a full-body scanner. A highly respected physician has conducted his own research and has published his findings. The results of this research may shock you.
Dr. Joseph Mercola, a licensed physician and surgeon in Illinois points out that the typical airport scanner delivers.02 microsieverts of x-ray radiation. Compare this to an airline flight lasting several hours at high altitudes that exposes travelers to 20 microsieverts of radiation from the sun-that's 1000 times the full-body scanner dose!
Based upon these numbers...if you can accept the risk of air travel radiation, then the exposure from airport scanners should be of little concern.
Avoiding solar radiation while flying is a simple step-flying at night. Solar radiation is at its peak around 12:00 Noon. There is no problem after the sun sets.
So it appears that safety in full-body scans is not a valid issue. But the intrusiveness of this security measure simply will not go away.
While the debate rages on we must all take note of the fact that the purpose of the scan or the enhanced groping and touching is to prevent a terrorist from bringing down a jetliner. So for now we all will simply have to swallow our pride...and fly after dark.
IHTV-47: TSA's Naked Body Scanner and Cell Phone Health Apps