Airport X-ray body scanners to be banned?

Full body scanners have been controversial ever since their introduction to airport security checks in January 2012. Campaigners have always questioned whether
the added security benefits justify the invasion of privacy caused by having your naked ‘virtual’ body scrutinised for suspicious objects.

And the scanners are in the spotlight again with some airports across the EU planning to ban them due to fears of radiation. The head-to-toe scanners use X-ray technology, which emits radiation and is linked to the development of cancer. Although the risk is tiny, with only 1 in 400 million passengers expected to develop fatal cancer, the high volume of travellers passing through EU airports makes the measure justifiable.

Since their appearance at several airports 22 months ago, the scanners have been instrumental in finding over 300 dangerous items concealed by passengers. But flyers will still face stringent checks in the future – the scanners will eventually be replaced with new versions which emit harmless radio frequency waves instead.

Manchester airport will decommission their 16 of the X-ray machines next year, and from April 2012, it’s expected that an EU wide-ban will be implemented. However, the scanners are still being used in America, with experts warning that between six –100 passengers a year could develop cancer as a result.