[ RadSafe ] Backscatter x-ray

[George Andrews]

Will your opinion remain the same after terrorist use a body cavity or an 
implanted device and we then have body cavity searches or perhaps whole body 
x-rays? I think there is also data that shows some items make it by TSA 
scrutiny. Sounds like you are an advocate of absolute, unquestioning 
obedience to TSA requirements regardless of what they may be. Who provides 
the clearance for TSA employees? What kind of background checks are they 
subject to? Are they scanned, searched and ID validated every time they 
report to work? Is there salary such that they could be bought easily?

Some consideration need be given to what might be called reasonable and 
effective measures. Is there a measure of the efficacy of  TSA measures? How 
many terrorist acts have been averted by TSA scanning and patdowns? It would 
be interesting to see some data!

Although not a radiation protection issue, it is an airline travel issue. 
What measures would you consider reasonable to protect everyone from the 
terrorist (or terrorists) who is intentionally infected with a biological 
agent?

I am not opposed to some security measures. Such measures must actually be 
in place to minimize a threat, not just something to give the appearance of 
TSA making air travel safer for the public.

George Andrews

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Miller, Mark L" <mmiller at sandia.gov>
To: "'The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List'" 
<radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 1:42 PM
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Backscatter x-ray


> IMHO, it seems that we radiation protection professionals are missing a 
> great teaching moment here.  This is because: 1) the dose from the 
> scanning machines in 100s of times less than the radiation dose that 
> flyers will get.  Therefore, if radiation exposure is their concern, they 
> should deal with the FACTS.  If their issue is "invasion of privacy", I 
> have little sympathy for their position.  If they want the convenience of 
> travel by air, then they must comply with the steps TSA has taken to 
> protect EVERYONE's safety from "terrorists" (or walk).  This brings me to 
> 2): TSA didn't invent the problems posed by protecting travelers from 
> terrorists.  The terrorists did!  Irate travelers should direct their 
> anger to those truly responsible for it (good luck).  And finally, 3): 
> perhaps the Israeli approach to passenger screening is superior. The 
> billions spent worldwide on really neat equipment may not be nearly 
> effective as really smart personnel screeners.