Forget Fukushima, TSA admits radiation levels in body scanners are 10 times higher than "expected"

The Transportation Security Administration is re-analyzing the radiation levels of X-ray body scanners installed in airports nationwide, after testing produced dramatically higher-than-expected results.

The TSA, which has deployed at least 500 body scanners to at least 78 airports, said Tuesday the machines meet all safety standards and would remain in operation despite a “calculation error” in safety studies. The flawed results showed radiation levels 10 times higher than expected.

At least one flier group, the Association for Airline Passenger Rights, is urging the government to stop using the $180,000 machines that produce a virtual-nude image of the body until new tests are concluded in May.

“Airline passengers have enough concerns about flying — including numerous ones about how TSA conducts its haphazard security screenings — so it is TSA’s responsibility to ensure passengers are not being exposed to unhealthy amounts of radiation,” Brandon Macsata, executive director of the group, said in a statement.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center has been a loud voice opposing the machines. Last week, it urged a federal appeals court to stop using them until further health studies were conducted. Marc Rotenberg, EPIC’s executive director, is expected to tell the same thing to a congressional panel Wednesday.

“The agency should have conducted a public rule-making so that these risks could have been more carefully assessed,” (.pdf) according to a transcript of his expected testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Color me unsurprised. Not only do these machines not work effectively, considering people have proven they can make it through security:


consumerist.com...


They cost ALOT of tax payers dollars:

The snafu involves tests conducted on the roughly 250 backscatter X-ray machines produced by Rapiscan of Los Angeles, which has a contract to deliver another 250 machines at a cost of about $180,000 each. About 250 millimeter-wave technology machines produced by L-3 Communications of New York were not part of the bungled results.

And now they are 10x more dangerous than previously believed.



Click here to read article.

Great, not only are they terahertz waves, which are at the proper frequency to unbuckle DNA, but they're probably emitting even more radiation than previously thought. Who isn't against these things? Those who aren't should be forced to be scanned repeatedly. *cough* Chertoff *cough*

CANCER WIN!!!

How Terahertz Waves Tear Apart DNA

A new model of the way the THz waves interact with DNA explains how the damage is done and why evidence has been so hard to gather

www.technologyreview.com...

I'm assuming that 'Rapiscan' is short for RAPEY-SCAM and not Rapid Scan.

Thank god I'm not a frequent flyer

Serieously if this is true then why isn't anyone doining something about it ?

reply to post by Sinter Klaas


That is the 64 thousand dollar question. Moreover, why isn't anyone doing anything about "insert problem here."


It feels like we're riding a downward spiral...


Hopefully someone can put an end to the TSA madness. Ron Paul, where are you?

The machines are the same backscatter X-Ray machines that were used to inspect cargo, modified to scan humans. When the machines were just used for cargo the companies that made them were aware that the X-Ray levels put out were unhealthy for humans.

Comparing Fukushima to airport scanners? Are you serious?

Ridiculous.

Still this just shows how the TSA vermin should be disbanded.

1 TSA scanner = probably 1 mil people iradiated a year

1 reactor meltdown = 100 mil people or many more iradiated and the number grows every year

3 reactors meltdown = to many people iradiated to even think of.


So just think next time please, thats why you have a thing called a brain.

I'm directing this more toward US concerns. We are being iradiated now--and Fukushima is not a threat currently.

Originally posted by AlexIR
1 TSA scanner = probably 1 mil people iradiated a year

1 reactor meltdown = 100 mil people or many more iradiated and the number grows every year

3 reactors meltdown = to many people iradiated to even think of.


So just think next time please, thats why you have a thing called a brain.

reply to post by AlexIR


Maybe... just maybe... The author used Japan in his title to get this "disturbing" article a little attention.

Cause I don't see a comparison. Only a ply to think about whatever else is happening in ande around everyday life.

One single topic can be overwhelming you know... Not that Japan horrible disaster isn't bad or maybe even a little less bad... but only to make sure other injustice isn't overlooked in the horror scenario now happening in Japan.

At least now you can't say you didn't know when there is a cancer outbreak among frequent flyers who never visited Japan... ever.

Just my point of view... two cents whatever... There is a difference. Not intended to insult.

Edeit to say : Geesh... and I'm not even American...

reply to post by Sinter Klaas


Because we Americans has been conditioned to take anything that is shoved to us by our government in the name of security.

Even with all the corruption going on in our government and political parties we still bend over and kiss their butts and their corporate laws.

In other words money talks and BS walk to kick the tax payer in the rear end as long as corporate America has whores in congress to make then profits at our expenses and safety.

reply to post by marg6043


You say you Americans with your conditioned acceptance towards governments and corporate legislations, but...

I'm afraid here in Europe it is just as bad only we we still use the name custody as it's always used in the past...
Except for Greece, Ireland, Iceland even a little... There isn't really any rebellion ?! acceptance is what the masses show.

Not anything big enough I'm aware of that is... The Greek protesters should even be ashamed of them selves I my eyes, because they still fight for socialist goals in a capitalistic nation, and they are screwed because they don't pay their share for what is needed to maintain a social system. Worse even they commit fraud and avoid paying taxes... corruption. Our system is wrong and needs a total make over..., but the Greek rebel for a life payed by the EU and demand bigger paychecks more days off... a younger retirements age...

Either they are just in time or we are way to late to make those differences balance... Airport scanners are installed at airports around Europe as topping of a giant desert of fecal matter.

Maybe we are both in deep doodoo land and we simply do not realize it yet because we are divided into thinking we are two separate sides of the same freaking coin .

Ironic is it not ?

reply to post by Sinter Klaas


It is sad that UK is following US power grab toward populations and remember that is all in the name of profiting for the elite fews. It has nothing to do with the people.

That is why when I see a small country rebelling and going against their government it makes me sad that we are in much need of a government take over that they will ever be.

The American governemtn has not been for the people in over a hundred years.

The last time I was on a plane was in the begining of august on my way home from leaving the army. In the future though I will be traveling once plane ticket prices go down and scanners no longer operational. Teleporters really need to get invented now!

I don't see how anyone could want to fly with this added danger. Sure you can opt out, but at what price? Some people have PTSD from being "patted" down.


I'm still looking for the exact numbers, but if you fly alot, you're getting ALOT of radiation. The terahertz frequency apparently does a very good job at uncoupling your DNA.


Sure there is a radiation cloud heading here from Japan, but it's no where near what these scanners can do.