Is "wanding" unhealthy??
 

First we walk through a big "gate" that zaps our body looking for metal. Our bags are passed through an even stronger electromagnetic field. And if we're lucky, we may just have an electric stick wanded over our body a few times during our journey.

Me thinks this can't be all that healthy! On my last trip, I specifically requested that the security guard not use the wand and instead search me manually. After looking at me with a dumbfounded look in his eye, he called over his supervisor who showed him how to "do the search."

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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

But is is MORE unhealthy than all of those microwaves that are supposed to zap your head every time you use your cell phone? ; )

What about all the radiation your body is "zapped" with in-flight? That's something to be much more concerned with.

I thought breathing that re-circulated air was the most unhealthy aspect of flying...

These wands are battery powered. They measure the change in "magnetism" (for simplicity) when passing over metal vs. non-metal objects on your person. There is no high frequency radiation or particles coming from these devices.

Your electric shaver puts out more EM radiation that one of these wands, and you hold it to your face much closer and longer than a security wand. Why be afraid of something just because it's unfamiliar?

[This message has been edited by TA (edited 04-25-2002).]

I agree with TransWorldOne and TA. At high altitude, your body is exposed to massive amounts of radiation (emitted by the Sun) that on the ground is deflected by the atmosphere. At 39,000 feet, without the shielding of much of the earth's atmosphere, long flights equal the radiation from at least one (and maybe more) chest xray.

The walk-thru magetometers are just big magnets, which really don't "zap" our bodies. (But don't go thru them with a pacemaker!) The bags go thru a powerful xray (don't ever stick your hands or arms in after your bags!). The wands are harmless battery powered devices designed to detect metal.

We breathe "recycled" air every day, everywhere we go, not just on planes. Even outside, in the park, the air is "recycled." Six billion people and billions of animals have probably already breathed in, and thus, used, each molecule you inhale. Not to mention that in the park, you get to breathe air that cars, trucks and busses have just used and "exhaled."

Many modern buildings (especially those designed in the late '70s, when the energy crisis was in full swing) are fairly airtight and don't constantly exchange their air volume. And I believe Boeing and the airlines when they lay out the facts on how often the air is exchanged on planes.

My vote for the most unhealthy aspect of flying goes to the radiation.

[This message has been edited by FWAAA (edited 04-25-2002).]

Would they really admit it if it was unhealthy? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

<sigh> Yes, perhaps it's an unfounded fear... and I realize the large amount of radiation we receive hurtling "so close" (i.e. 39,000 feet closer) to the sun...

Have any studies been done that demonstrate a higher cancer risk among frequent flyers?

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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

This is something that is seriously needed, and the industry should take it upon themselves to begin doing this. Especially for pilots and FAs, too. I'm sure they'd like to know those numbers -- so would OSHA.

Yes, there have been studies done on cosmic radiation, but they were quickly stifled. The cancer rate is higher among people who fly alot. I had the exact numbers, but can't find them now. There is also a much higher incidence of miscarriage. Did you know that pilots and flight attendants are condisered to be "radiation workers" and must be made aware of the risks by their employers? Food for thought...although it hasn't grounded me yet. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Only thing unhealthy is when the agressive not-so-bright hits you in the family jewels with the wand.