Are Total Body Scanners Safe? The Jury Is Still Out

By Dr. Elaina George

A few weeks ago we were told that CT scans and mammograms can increase the risk of cancer. Since the rush to deploy the new total body scanners in our airports has been a topic of hot debate. There has been a burning question that has not been answered that needs to be. If CT scans and mammograms are no longer considered safe, what makes the total body scanners safe to use? The technology used in the full body scanners is either backscatter X-ray or millimeter waves both use a form of radiation call terahertz photons (T-rays). T-rays are a form of infrared energy that lies between radio waves at the low-end and microwaves at its higher end. It may be non-ionizing unlike X-rays; however, the energy is able to penetrate tissue, clothing, paper, plastic, wood and ceramics among other things. The TSA Web site represents the full body scanner as a safe method of screening. However, not only are we giving up our privacy, we are also playing Russian roulette with our safety. [more...]