Since the foiled Christmas terrorist attack we have had a month focusing on airport security, the no-fly list and the hottest topic of them all – how much can a Full Body Scan machine really see? Apparently, A LOT – but they are trying to make consumers feel better by telling you they will BLUR your face. This will be a source of debate in 2010 over privacy rights, etc… but I thought it would be helpful for my followers to understand what exactly these huge machines are doing when you step into one – so here are some Body Scanner facts:
There are two types: the Millimeter Wave scanner and the Backscatter scanner.
What’s the difference?
The Millimeter Wave scanner emits small radio waves that pass through your clothing and return with images of your body underneath – human skin is all TSA wants to show up – anything that is not skin is cause for alarm.
The Backscatter scanner – Two low-level x-rays of you are taken within twenty seconds. If the electromagnetic waves are absorbed, then you will be cleared through – if you’re hiding foreign objects, they will reflect in the x-rays and will be visible on the scan.
Are either of these machines harmful to my heath?
No – the Millimeter scanner uses radio waves and although the Backscatter scanner uses x-rays, the amount of radiation you’ll absorb is roughly the same that you would get during everyday life exposure.
Is it true you can see everything in these scanners? Yes – but the Backscatter scanner appears more skeletal than fleshy and TSA says they are blurring faces …
Only time will tell and it’s defiantly a topic that is FUELED with debate – I, for one, feel if it stops a terrorist from bringing something on the plane I or someone I care about is going to be on, I will step into the machine.
