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More about why you should avoid backscatter
While this article applies to hospitals, it is certainly applicable to TSA. I keep thinking of people who have been over-radiated and then are forced to go through WBI.
But an examination by The New York Times has found that radiation overdoses were larger and more widespread than previously known, that patients have reported symptoms considerably more serious than losing their hair, and that experts say they may face long-term risks of cancer and brain damage. The review also offers insight into the way many of the overdoses occurred. While in some cases technicians did not know how to properly administer the test, interviews with hospital officials and a review of public records raise new questions about the role of manufacturers, including how well they design their software and equipment and train those who use them. The Times found the biggest overdoses at Huntsville Hospital — up to 13 times the amount of radiation generally used in the test. Does anyone need any more of a reason to avoid WBI? |
I think that a CT scan and a backscatter scanner are markedly different. From what I understand, the backscatter is a much lower intensity than a CT scanner.
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Originally Posted by gfunkdave
(Post 14399567)
I think that a CT scan and a backscatter scanner are markedly different. From what I understand, the backscatter is a much lower intensity than a CT scanner.
~~ Irish |
Originally Posted by IrishDoesntFlyNow
(Post 14399623)
There is no such thing as a "safe" exposure to x-ray. There is only less risky and more risky. For me personally, every exposure is "more risky", so I'll limit my x-ray exposure to those absolutely medically necessary. A backscatter WBI has no medical benefit.
~~ Irish |
IIRC, hospital x-ray machines, because they are adjusted based on what type of x-ray is imaged, the calibration is skewed very easily. The units used by the smurfs are set at one level. Personally, I think the smurfs are wasting the taxpayer's money and need to be disbanded.
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Originally Posted by Italy98
(Post 14400071)
IIRC, hospital x-ray machines, because they are adjusted based on what type of x-ray is imaged, the calibration is skewed very easily. The units used by the smurfs are set at one level. Personally, I think the smurfs are wasting the taxpayer's money and need to be disbanded.
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The scary part is that this happened with medical-grade equipment, in medical facilities, with trained medical techs.
What standards, if any, do the current backscatter machines comply with? What training, if any, do the TSA techs receive on radiation? What training, if any, do the "repair techs" from the manufacturer have? How often, if ever, are these machines calibrated? Which independent experts are used to verify such machines are operating properly and in compliance? Exactly which frequencies are used and what is the duration and power of exposure? These are all questions which should be answered immediately and openly. I'll opt-out every time. If they make these machines mandatory, I'll just opt-out of commercial aviation. Gen Av. is far more pleasant. More expensive, but I'll gladly pay whatever it takes to avoid the additional health risk. |
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