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Dangers of 3D Body Scanners

As of December 2010, there are currently 315 3D body scanners in use at over 65 airports in the United States. These 3D scanners, often called 'naked' scanners, take an x-ray of a person's body and give the security official a graphic image of the body. While, these 3D scanners emit less radiation then a cell phone, many people are still concerned about the dangers that may arise from frequent use of these scanners.

  1. Reproductive Danger

    • Repeated radiation to the reproductive area of both men and women can cause long-term harm to themselves and future children. While some experts posit that an individual would have to go through a 3D body scanners 243 times every day before there is an actual health risk, frequent fliers, pilots and flight attendants all worry about the risk to their reproductive systems.These effects include infertility, causing, development or genetic problems for future children. In females the same is true, a heightened risk of infertility, genetic problems and also an increased risk for future miscarriages.

    Pregnant Women

    • Pregnant women affected by radiation in the first trimester are at the most risk for potential harm. Exposure to radiation in early pregnancy can cause miscarriage, birth defects and growth retardation. It can also affect the fetus' neurological system, which may cause learning disabilities and motor function problems for the child later in life. Pregnant women beyond the 20th week of pregnancy are less at risk for any kind of radiation exposure problems, with no real risk for miscarriage or birth defects.

    Danger to Children

    • Besides the obvious dangers of young children being exposed to radiation, there are other dangers to children using 3D body scanners. Many parents are worried about graphic images of their child's genital areas taken by the scanners. Parents, concerned about child pornography, are worried that these graphic pictures of their children will be kept and may get into the wrong hands. Major airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has not revealed what happens to these scans after they are taken.

    Skin Danger

    • Using x-ray type of radiation repeatedly at the airport may cause basal cell carcinoma, and other types of skin cancer. This type of cancer primarily occurs on the head and neck of those inflicted, and for this reason many doctors do not believe that individuals should have their head and neck scanned in an airport 3D scanner. The skin receives the most amount of radiation, as it has more surface area than any other human organ.

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