The survey reports for each backscatter machine in use are available from the TSA's website.

http://www.tsa.gov/research/reading/...arch_2011.shtm.

These documents give the levels of ionizing radiation emitted within the target area as well as in the areas surrounding the machines (notice that some of the machines have non-zero radiation readings - i.e. leaking outside of the target areas).

For the same reason the Motion Picture Academy hires Price Waterhouse to count the Oscar ballots, I want an objective third party to run those tests and publicize the results, which TSA has refused to allow.

I did a quick sampling of the data. They were performed by company technicians. There is no indication of any sort of independent verification. The errors someone else in the company noted were administrative.

Also, the documents I reviewed were all test done at "site acceptance." This means they were tested shortly after they were installed at the airport. We don't know how they have been operating since installation. For sure, at site acceptance, the only ones operating them were the contractors. The clerks wouldn't start using them until acceptance testing was completed.

Yeah, I have previously gone over these things with a fine-toothed comb.

TSA absolutely does not allow independent testing of any of their functional machines (only pieces-parts, which is what JHU "tested").

The test results posted under "Posted May 24, 2011" (scroll down) were obtained after it was discovered that the initial reports were "erroneous". Most of these new tests were performed just this year. Otherwise, neither Rapiscan nor the TSA has posted any continuing calibration reports on these machines.

Yadda, yadda, yadda, it's SSI. :rolleyes:

It's time to upgrade that computer, dont'cha think? :p:D

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...fd67-1-1-1.jpg

I have a question for Bart, or any other TSA employee on this forum working in locations utilizing backscatter. This is a serious question, and I would like to know the answer.

Your employer has assured you that these machines are absolutely safe. Since you are required daily to be in close proximity of the radiation-emitting machines do you have to sign any type of memorandum of understanding regarding their safety?

No, it's more like a 5 year old getting mad then taking his ball and going home.

I have another question for the resident TSOs:

Have any of you ever considered putting a dosimeter badge in your pocket while you work the AIT? Yes, yes, I know you're not allowed to wear them, it would disturb the uniform, but I bet money there is no rule or reg prohibiting you from carrying one in your pocket during your shift. Bart - I especially challenge you to put your money where your mouth is - get a dosimeter and check your dosage.

I'd bet there's at least been one of those "SSI" memos stating that it's forbidden.

The bigger question is why so many TSA employees haven't asked "why not?"

"Do you want to work today?" And they have a household to feed. But the still-fantastic TSO churn rate suggests that even some who aren't in it for the larceny opportunities may be getting the message.

Here are few on the job requirements when I was at a company working for the federal government:
When in a room that was not loud in my opinion, I had to wear hearing protection.
When in a room with a bit of harmless airborne dust, I had to wear a filter mask
When in a room with a bit of dirty water dripping, I had to wear a Tyvek suit
When climbing a ladder 10 feet off the ground, I was given a safety harness and spotter

Heck, I had a higher chance of being fired for not wearing earplugs then if I destroyed all the equipment in a facility with a sledgehammer. What is the TSA hiding when it does not allow those working around x-rays to wear dosimeters?

Likewise, when I was an electron microscopy tech I had to wear a dosimeter on the minute chance the microscope was leaking radiation if the vacuum column wasn't aligned properly. Turned it in every three months and got a new one. Techs who worked radioactive isotopes actually had to wear 2 dosimeters (badge plus ring) even though they were behind a safety shield. Tiny exposures on a regular basis do add up.

The admission isn't really new news -- rather a confirmation of that which should have already been known.

As far as I can tell, every useful number is blacked out in the documents they released to EPIC. :rolleyes: But I have seen several third-party sources that confirm a 20-30 keV beam, e.g., http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/saf...113619/1521147.

The best clue, however, are the Rapiscan patents: http://www.google.com/patents?id=9tM...%2C1295&edge=0

Reminds of Jack Nicholson's line in As Good As It Gets when he is asked, “How do you write women so well?” “I think of a man and I take away reason and accountability.”