[ RadSafe ] TSA Scanner is Health Risk

[Perle, Sandy]

Hello Reuven,

I am confident that there is a lot of data regarding these units. The primary issue for someone other than the government or the manufacturer to monitor these units with TLD or other dosimeter is that the TSA must authorize the placing of these devices on a person entering the unit. The pilot unions wanted to test but at that point in time, the TSA would not allow dosimeters be in the unit. If you've ever been through one, they make you take everything out of your pockets, including currency bills, wallet, etc. A dosimeter is a no-no.

This list has provided links to studies and I have no quarrels with the data presented that demonstrates that the dose received by an individual is small. I traveled all day today and the airports I went through did not have these scanners. I would have gladly been scanned rather than the hand-on body grope.

Regards,

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

+1 (949) 296-2306 (Office)
+1 (949) 296-1144 (Fax)

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




On Nov 30, 2010, at 12:53 PM, ReuvenGmail wrote:

> Dear Mr. Perle,
>
> Do you happen to know if there are ANY measurements results
> using TLD monitors or film badge monitors to inform us with scientifically
> derived results about the radiation exposure / absorption levels of airport
> x-ray scanners to passengers?
>
> In the absence of such rudimentary measurements, nobody in this forum has
> the grounds to "approve" or "disprove" these machines.
>
> With the obvious track record of the FDA, I would caution, though, any
> passenger, to avoid ANY x-ray exposure!
>
> The scanners operate at 50 KvP (!)
> Here is an example of reincarnation: Xeromammography, that has been quite
> dead for the past 40 years, is gaining a tremendous and profitable revival,
> in the transmogrifyed "X-Ray Back Scatter Scanner..."
>
> Regards,
>
> Reuven Zach
> Medical Radiation Physicist
>
>
>
>
>
> i.
>
> _______________________________________________
> You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list
>
> Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the RadSafe rules. These can be found at: http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html
>
> For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit: http://health.phys.iit.edu


PROPRIETARY INFORMATION NOTICE:   This e-mail message and all attachments transmitted with it are intended solely for use by the addressee and may contain proprietary information of Mirion Technologies and/or its affiliates.  If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to the message, delete the original message and all attachments from your computer, and destroy any copies you may have made.  Thank you.