boiflyer

Some thoughts and questions mainly (but not only) for our resident TSOs about YOUR safety at work. I'll set aside my disdain for the TSA and think "what if". That is, what if *I* was a TSO.

So, my employer decides to use a technology that is scientifically known as fact to cause cancer, ionizing radiation/x-rays. My employer states they are perfectly safe for the passengers being scanned because it is a low energy and dose of ionizing radiation. They state it is the same exposure as two minutes of airplane travel at altitude. They say *they* and the device manufacturer carried out studies that show it is "safe". Yet, the intensity and wavelengths are not published, nor the actual dosages of radiation (AFAIK).

As an employee working around these machines, I begin to wonder about potential problems they could cause ME since I work in close proximity to these for hours five days a week. I begin to wonder about containment of the x-rays, what my dosage is, what problems this could cause for me like cancers and chromosomal defects when trying to conceive.

If I'm a man I worry about chromosome damage to my sperm. What if my exposure to these additional x-rays results in chromosome damaged sperm that fertilize an egg in my wife? If I'm a woman, I worry about my greatly increased susceptibility to breast cancer and that the carcinogenic effect of radiation is higher in women. As either sex, I think I must consider the very real possibility of significantly increasing my risk of cancers of these organs that are just under the skin. And, as either sex, I wonder about the real possibility of increasing my risk of skin cancers and eye problems.

I wonder why does my hygienist leave the room (which is lead lined) and put lead over my body for an x-ray of my teeth. I wonder why the medical community uses licensed technicians and radiologists around medical x-ray machines. Do we calibrate and test our machines with the same rigorous standards the medical community does? I start to wonder, should I be concerned. Should I be wearing a dosimeter? I wonder when the BackSCATTER x-rays scatter, where exactly do they scatter to. Are they scattering to me? How much radiation am I receiving? Will I get health problems or cancer from it? Has my employer been entirely truthful to me and have independent scientific studies been adequately carried out? Finally, I wonder why my employer decides to implement two technologies, one far more controversial than the other.

So, as I'm not a TSO, but you are, does working around cancer-causing ionizing x-rays concern you at all? Do you think your workplace environment could contribute to cancer and genetic defects? Have you had the displeasure of watching that b@stard cancer take one of your loved ones? Do you want to minimize your radiation exposure? Do you really believe everything your employer and device manufacturer are telling you. Are these devices *really* "safe" for you to be in close proximity to? Why do you think no independent studies have been done on the devices?

Fornebufox

@:-)

I've posted briefly about this in another thread. Unfortunately, the potential damage to screeners, which I believe to be very real, won't show up for years.

InkUnderNails

I once knew a veteran that was in the occupying force at Hiroshima. They told him the same thing, nothing to worry about. I hate to say this, I really do, but our government is not honest, even with their own employees.

LoganTSO

Yes it does. But unfortunately... our local management and HQ aren't saying anything. The local management even released a letter saying they ordered a study and there was no corroboration between the high rates of cancer being reported here in Boston and the X-rays. Except I believe this study was done with the regular x-rays not the backscatter.

Furthermore, we're prohibited (I believe) from wearing dosimeters, even personal ones. My union, AFGE, wants all TSOs to file CA-2s to inundate HQ with so we can push for dosimeters.

IrishDoesntFlyNow

In contrast to the "terrorist until proven otherwise" approach to passengers, the approach to occupational safety seems to be "harmless until proven otherwise".

~~ Irish

sullim4

This is precisely why I choose to opt out. While I do have privacy concerns, the primary problem I have with these machines is the fact that over half of them emit ionizing radiation. Hell, I am paranoid enough to only carry my cell phone on my person once or twice a month and use a corded phone attached to an xlink to talk over it. If I were a TSO at a location with backscatter I would have quit my job.

Dental x-rays are fine - they are but once a year, you have the lead vest on, etc. These backscatter machines scare the crap out of me.

InkUnderNails

Logic would say, and I realize this is the TSA so maybe not, that if there was really no danger and they knew there was no danger that they would not only permit dosimeters but would encourage them. But, that is me trying to think logically.

JSmith1969

TSA displays an appalling disinterest in tracking any sort of data at all that might portray their policies in an unfavorable light, or demonstrate their ineffectiveness.

FriendlySkies

Do they have specific reasons for not letting you wear dosimeters? If TSA claims that it's safe, then what's the big issue?

JoeBas

Because the fish are easily startled.

People wearing dosimeters might make people question themselves whether these things are safe. And, for their own safety, we can't have people questioning if things are safe, even if they're not safe. That's not safe.

barbell

To be fair, the TSA also displays an appalling disinterest in tracking any sort of data at all that might portray their policies in a favorable light, or demonstrate their effectiveness.

PhoenixRev

The TSA killed off its credibility long ago by not being honest with the public, so I wonder why I should ever believe the agency's claim the machines are safe.

On top of that, this letter only adds to my sincere belief that the NoS is not safe for anyone.

But what do a bunch of professors, scientists and cancer specialists know?

InkUnderNails

Or maybe, the TSA displays an appalling disinterest in tracking any sort of data. Period.

JSmith1969

Which is, from their perspective, insane. Imagine that they were finding shoe bombers on a frequent basis, or explosive liquids (assuming for the sake of argument that such an animal exists) in 3% of confiscated liquids. They'd then have compelling justification for their policies. The fact that they actively avoid any sort of data collection indicates that even they know how pathetic and stupid they are.

BubbaLoop

I work in a lab and occasionally use low-level radioactive chemicals. They are not particularly dangerous due to the levels and type of radioactivity emitted, and yet we still use measures to ensure our protection, including the use of dosimeters. The fact that they test negatively ensures we are working correctly.

Prohibiting you from wearing dosimeters is preposterous! You need to seriously talk to your management and, if they insist on this stupidity, this is as good a reason as any I have ever seen to strike.