Originally Posted by TSAMGR
We understand the concern, screeners work near these machines all day and are exposed to the radiation more than the passengers. I would want to see that levels are safe and there is no accumulative effects from the machines.
As a point of reference the the present X-Ray machines are tested on an annual basis and must be put out of service if even the curtain is damaged. The entrance and exits are covered by two sets of lead lined rubber covered curtains which prevent any exposure. By the way the amount of radiation produced by the X-Ray machines is 50 times smaller than one chest X-Ray and is contained within the chamber.
Remember, these are different x-ray machines than the proposed backscatter machines.
I don't get one chest x-ray per year. My traveling would have me exposed to these machines around 50 or more times per year. There's no way I would want to receive that kind of additional exposure.