Actually, that's completely different radiation (RF), not x-ray.

By the way, I am the TSA OSHA POC at my Airports and I have no problem shutting a machine down for any little problem. I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to order the machine back into service. Also they now I would escalate the matter to state and federal OSHA.

But as you stated, any radiation is too much radiation. :)

In reponse to the OP, I would absolutely support such a system (except for the WT x-ray, see below) if it eliminated physical contact between screeners and screenees except for alarms, and there were reasonable procedures in place for clearing inevitable false alarms without body cavity searches of innocent grandmothers or denied boarding. I also agree it would probably result in a net speedup of the process as the queuing delay for secondaries would be nearly eliminated.

These numbers put out by the manufacturers/proponents can be very misleading.

My understanding is that this entire x-ray does will be absorbed by the skin, not the body (i.e., inhaled, ingested radiation), in which the real question is what are the long-term effects of frequent repeated (frequent flyer, airport worker, exposed a few times a day for decades) microdoses to the skin. Increased risk of skin cancer? Worse for fair skinned people or those with history of sunburn? We don't know and won't until after these things have been deployed for years. Heck, there's still no agreement on the risks associated with radon gas exposure. The 6 microRem/day exposure from going through this thing twice is different from the 240 microRem/day background exposure because that is delivered in several different ways (inhaled in the air, ingested in food/water, and external exposure).

The rate of delivery is also very important in its effects. X dose over a few days is very different than X dose over a few minutes/seconds. That rule applies both to high (sickness or death inducing) and low (this situation) doses. Spiff's point about the rates is valid. 10 microRem/hour (background) is 0.003 microRem/second. 500 microRem/hour (in flight) is 0.13 microRem/second. This machine's 3 microRem/3-seconds is 1 microRem/second. My comfort level just went way down. Someone other than a manufacturer/proponent could say that, "This machine exposes you to radiation at a rate 7.7 times (1/.13 = 7.69) higher than if you were on an aircraft."

Also, the ranges in the above data are somewhat misleading. Not too many medical x-rays deliver 300,000 microrem; a chest x-ray delivers around 10000 to the bone marrow. Sure, someone whose bone marrow is being destroyed in prep for a transplant receives 1 billion microrem, but technically, that's a lethal dose.

Other fun radiation stats:

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ult...Radiation.html

Note the numbers there are in millirem: 1 millirem = 1000 microrem.

No, I said there was no "safe" dose of x-ray radiation. MUCH different wavelengths. ;)

TSAMGR.

I am VERY well aware how a CTX is designed, but are YOU aware how the standard 1980's piece of junk X-RAY machine that is 110% man powered is designed?

It has lead curtains, mostly which are re-taped with duct tape, and if I was to put in a long bag, such as golf clubs, the red light on top of the machine will turn on, STATING THERE IS X-RAYS being emitted.

Now to clarify, standard bags go in the machine then get hit with X-RAYS when the curtain flaps down, but the long bags and large boxes that are the problems.


As the duration of the bag going into the X-RAY, the X-RAYS BOUNCE OUT OF THE BOX or items in it at 45* angles. Some of them will hit the loader(s).

Add up the exposer and im sure there will be some sort of problems in the future.


BTW, are you in JFK or LAG?

If you are, you DAMN know well that if you shut down a X-RAY or CTX all hell is breaking loose. Therefor you WILL have a big problem on your hands.

I am not here to argue with you, just telling you how it is.

I know how it is. What 1980s machine are you talking about? Which type of machine? Smith-Heimann, Rapidscan, or one of the other? If the curtains are taped up then the machine should be out of service. If the machine won't be put out of service then contact OSHA at http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/complain.html
or
Bayside/Queens District Office of the Long Island Area Office
42-40 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, New York 11361
(718) 279-9060
(718) 279-9057 FAX
or
Manhattan Area Office
201 Varick Street RM. 908
New York, NY 10014
(212) 620-3200
(212) 620-4121 (FAX)

Might I also mention that any bag long enough to not allow the curtains to come down and completely surround the bag when the machine is "on" are not to be run through to begin with? This includes most golf bags. Trust me on this; the brunt of our winter travelers are golfers.

How much radiation is one exposed to with the WTMD as well as the backscatter compared to a 9 hr trans-Atlantic flight? From what I understand flying, especially some of the polar routes, exposes individuals to radiation as well. Just curious how much radiation we get when flying if anyone knows.

Best,

SDF_Traveler

You might want to consider staying indoors forever if you are concerned about radiation exposure. ;)

It will get you there too. ;)

(Hint: your cell phone works indoors.) :D

Actually if I remember right the exposure in brick building can be higher than that outdoors. Extra added does from decay in the bricks. It's a pretty small difference though.

I used to tell people I received less exposure while at sea on a nuclear submarine than did those who were walking around outside all day.

You are exposed to about 500 microRem per hour during a commercial airline flight at 35,000 feet above sea level.

Maybe one of those with aluminum foil wrapped around the house. :D