[ RadSafe ] Pilots urged to avoid body scanning

Fri Nov 12 11:15:16 CST 2010

Agree...

Without getting too hung up about exact figures.

Typical back scatter scan - 0.06 micro Sv (effective dose)

Typical dose rate at 37,000 above the UK - 5 micro Sv/h (high energy
radiation / neutrons etc etc).

(We could have a separate debate about low energy x-rays delivered at
very high dose rate to the skin vs. High energy penetrating radiation -
another day!).

I think the health issue is a red herring, but might be used to enhance
their cause (i.e. do not want to be scanned).

That said, I have questioned various cabin crew / pilots when flying for
work and in most cases they appear to pretty much unaware of the
magnitude of the radiation dose received during their work. If this is
so then it might well be that they are worried about the back scatter
systems - in which case some education is needed at flying school!

Rgs

Mark

www.ionactive.co.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Brennan, Mike
(DOH)
Sent: 12 November 2010 17:07
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) MailingList
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Pilots urged to avoid body scanning

If the unions were really interested in reducing the radiation dose to
their members, they would push for some type of optimizing program that
had pilots (and other crew) flying routes closer to home, and decreasing
the amount of "deadhead" flying they do, just to get to where are they
are working.  Exposure is the same if you are in the cockpit or in the
main cabin, and both are vastly higher than from the scanner.  

On the other hand, I agree with the USAPA spokesman about how silly it
is to apply the same security criteria to pilots as to passengers. 

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Perle, Sandy
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 8:29 AM
To: 'The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing
List'
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Pilots urged to avoid body scanning

Pilots urged to avoid body scanning
By Marnie Hunter, CNN
November 11, 2010 11:17 a.m. EST

Pilots unions are concerned about radiation emitted by backscatter
scanning machines to create full-body images.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* Pilots urged to avoid body scans, opt for pat-downs when unavoidable
* Union president calls pat-downs "a demeaning experience"
* Unions support security checks for pilots that would allow them to
bypass standard screening

Pilots' unions for US Airways and American Airlines are urging their
members to avoid full-body scanning at airport security checkpoints,
citing health risks and concerns about intrusiveness and security
officer behavior.
"Pilots should NOT submit to AIT (Advanced Imaging Technology)
screening," wrote Capt. Mike Cleary, president of the U.S. Airline
Pilots Association, in a letter to members this week. USAPA represents
more than 5,000 US Airways pilots.

"Based on currently available medical information, USAPA has determined
that frequent exposure to TSA-operated scanner devices may subject
pilots to significant health risks," Cleary wrote.
American Airlines pilots have also received guidance from their union,
the Allied Pilots Association, to decline full-body scanning. APA
represents 11,000 pilots.
"It's safe to say that most of the APA leadership shares my view that no
pilot at American Airlines should subject themselves to the needless
privacy invasion and potential health risks caused by the AIT body
scanners," APA president David Bates said in a letter to members.

Both unions are concerned about the effects of repeated exposure to
small doses of radiation emitted by the backscatter technology used in
some of the Transportation Security Administration's full-body scanners.
In the course of their daily duties, pilots are routinely exposed to
elevated levels of naturally occurring atmospheric radiation, which
increases at higher altitudes.
The unions urge members to choose security lines that use standard metal
detectors whenever possible. When faced with AIT screening, pilots
should opt for enhanced pat-downs, although this security procedure also
concerns the unions.
Unions are encouraging pilots to request private pat-downs. USAPA urges
members to make sure a witness is present during the procedure.

USAPA refers to incidents where Transportation Security Administration
officers may have implemented the screening technique inappropriately.
One pilot described his experience as "sexual molestation," according to
Cleary's letter. Bates wrote, "There is absolutely no denying that the
enhanced pat-down is a demeaning experience."
Both unions are looking for long-term solutions to airline crew
screening.

"Pilots really should never have been subjected to this type of
screening, ever. Because when we walk through these machines, within a
few hundred yards we get into what potentially could be the biggest
weapon on the airport, and that's the airplane," said James Ray, a
USAirways captain and spokesman for USAPA.

Pilots are well screened with security background checks and regular
medical and mental health checks, he said. The union suggests
implementing alternate identity verification technology that would allow
pilots to bypass regular passenger screening.

The TSA said it welcomes further discussion with pilots and emphasized
the agency's role in addressing security threats.
"We are frequently reminded that our enemy is creative and willing to go
to great lengths to evade detection. TSA utilizes the latest
intelligence to inform the deployment of new technology and procedures
in order to stay ahead of evolving threats," the TSA said in a
statement.

-----------------------------------
Sander C. Perle
President
Mirion Technologies
Dosimetry Services Division
2652 McGaw Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614

+1 (949) 296-2306 (Office)
+1 (949) 296-1130 (Fax)

Mirion Technologies: http://www.mirion.com/

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