I was thinking the same thing over the weekend. These scanners, of course, produce ionizing radiation just like the current x-ray scanner and, of course, the Blue Cancer Boxes. The NIH reports a 1/2000 chance of developing cancer from exposure to the radiation generated by these machines as compared to a 1/5 chance of developing some sort of cancer over your lifetime.

Bear in mind that the NIH analysis was done for medical equipment, which are properly shielded and maintained to high standards by the medical community.

The CT scanners used at airports and the former Cancer Boxes used on us are industrial x-rays with a completely different set of standards. There was an NIH study done on the Cancer Boxes that was inconclusive because the TSA never gave them an actual operational unit to test. I remember that NIH recommended a keep-out zone on the order of several feet.

The checked baggage machines are pretty far away in most cases from the general public and present little hazard. But, the baby scanners will be right at the checkpoint. I fully expect the TSA to stonewall any attempt at standard environmental testing of these machines and will conceal the amount of shielding and other technical specifications. I'm sure these machines are built to industrial safety standards rather than to medical safety standards.

Although I have zero sympathy for the clerks who stand right next to these things day in & day out because it's their choice to work for an employer such as the TSA. But, they will never be told how much radiation they might be exposed to during a shift.