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TSA (Finally) Studying Health Effects of Body Scanners

Posted by timothy on from the different-kind-of-transparency dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A 2011 ProPublica series found that the TSA had glossed over the small cancer risk posed by its X-ray body scanners at airports across the country. While countries in Europe have long prohibited the scanners, the TSA is just now getting around to studying the health effects." I'm not worried; the posters and recorded announcements at the airport say these scanners raise no health concerns.

6 of 225 comments (clear)

  1. This is a distraction from the real issue. by InvisibleClergy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The real issue with these was never the health effects. That was just an extra thing that privacy advocates tossed in there to lend additional weight to their arguments. The primary argument against these things is the fact that they are a violation of privacy. Arguing the health issue just weakens objections, when it gets defeated.

    1. Re:This is a distraction from the real issue. by Joce640k · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Well, that's OK then. So long as YOU don't care, neither should anybody else.

      The rape victims, the sexually assaulted, the people with any sort of problem should just get over it, right?

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      No sig today...
    2. Re:This is a distraction from the real issue. by Microlith · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's more than that. It's a blatant violation of the 4th Amendment. They have no good reason to search so invasively each and every person in this country who flies. There's no basis for them to believe that every person is a possible terrorist. It's just a blatant, idiotic expansion of powers and a jobs program for the terminally unemployable so jackasses can stand behind the metal detectors and look like they're important.

      The TSA has accomplished precisely shit in the entirety of its existence. It's successfully engaged in mission creep as it starts doing things for the DEA and whatnot, and managed to violate the dignity of a growing number of people. I have no respect for anyone that works for the TSA, on both a professional and personal level.

  2. Study should be done outside its influence by BrendaEM · · Score: 5, Insightful

    These scanners should have to go through the same FDA approval process as any medical device. People are putting their kids in there.
    If the odds of getting cancer from the scanners in their lifetime is 1: 1,000,000 then 1.5 people will get cancer from them--every day!

    We cannot suspend our judgement just because there are terrorists in the world and money to be made.

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    https://www.youtube.com/c/BrendaEM
  3. This should not be an issue by cellocgw · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Forget whether or not there are scanners. The real issue is whether or not there should be a TSA at all. There's no evidence that the $BIGNUM dollars spent has done anything whatsoever to stop or dissuade terrorist in-flight attacks.
    I'd suggest to the libertarians, Repubs, and other "personal liberty small government invisible hand of capitalism" folks that airline security should be the responsibility of the airlines themselves. I'd choose a "walk-on no problem" vendor over a "scan, remove your clothes, and provide a blood sample" vendor every time.

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    https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
  4. TSA & Gun Control by assertation · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One guy, over 10 years ago, makes a failed shoe bombing attempt so the Republicans make all of us take off our shoes whenever we get on an airplane.

    One guy successfully guns down almost all 30 people and they will not pass one law regulating guns.