Columbia Radiation Expert Claims TSA Scanners Are Likely To Cause Cancer

BackScatter Machine

Traveling via the airlines these days has gotten muy sucky.  Given the choice of a full body scanner (the backscatter machine) or a TSA groping, you might want to take the groping.  David J. Brenner, a Columbia University radiation expert has the following view (VIA);

“If most air travelers went through these X-ray scanners, then it is indeed quite likely that there would be some number of cancers produced by the radiation. Skin cancers are a particular concern, because the low-energy X-rays used in these scanners deposit a significant fraction of their total dose in the skin. In general, children are more sensitive than adults to radiation, and that’s true for the endpoint of radiation-related skin cancer too.”


Comments

2 responses to “Columbia Radiation Expert Claims TSA Scanners Are Likely To Cause Cancer”

  1. The frustrating part is when you chose to avoid this machine they give you attitude for a pat down. Not like I want the machine or the pat down… flying sucks now.

  2. No X Ray For Me Avatar
    No X Ray For Me

    I think I will allow my junk to be felt or drive instead of fly.

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