www.Parctel.com: In an effort to enhance Heathrow Airport Security in a faster and more efficient manner, a backscatter x-ray machine has been called into operation at Heathrow, in additon to being deployed at a number of American Airports, border posts and harbours.
In contrast to a traditional X-ray machine, which detects hard and soft materials by the variation in transmission through the target, a backscatter X-ray machine is a newer imaging system which detects the radiation which comes back from the target.
The real concern's for passengers transiting through Heathrow and other Airports are really two fold; privacy and the exposure to radiation.
Privacy:
According to the Transport Security Administration, the images will not be printed, stored or transmitted. To further enhance privacy, when the Transportation Security Officer has resolved any anomaly, the image is erased from the screen. The capability of printing, storing or transmitting the image is not available to the Transportation Security Officer operating the system.
In addition the screener viewing of images is remotely located and in addition to not storing, printing or transmitting the image, the Transportation Security Officer will be viewing the image on a stand-alone machine (vs. network) located in a remote area away from the screening process in order to protect the passenger’s privacy, preventing the generated image from being visible in the public domain. The Transportation Security Officer who is attending to the passenger at the backscatter machine will be unable to see the image being produced.
Remember that your being screened by the Backscatter X-Ray is entirely voluntary and you may request your preference to be physically patted down.
Many people are concerned about nude images of supermodels and celebrities being circulated as a result of this screening technology, although when last did you see a celebrity being patted down and, quite frankly, the papparazi obtain far more risque and detailed images that are more freely available.
Exposure to Radiation:
The manufacturers of the Rapiscan 1000 publish the following figures as a guideline:
Medical microRem Exposure:
CT (CAT Scan): Up to 1,000,000 microRem
Chest, Mammography: Up to 10,000 microRem
Background Radiation:
Denver (5000 ft): Up to 600 microRem per day Miami (sea level): Up to 300 microRem per day Inside vs. outside a building: Up to 25 microRem per day
Airline Passenger Dose:
One hour flight: Up to 500 microRem per hour
And Offer up these figures as a guideline for their bacskatter x-ray machine:
Rapiscan Secure 1000:
Less than 10 microRem per exam
References: Wikipedia | Rapiscan | TSA
Images: AS&E | TSA | FIS
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