Uh-HUH...

[stickmaker]

TSA is playing down the fact that tests of their new X-Ray body scanners show some are putting out ten times the amount of radiation they're supposed to.

This is on top of the fact that experts on the medical effects of radiation have stated, on the record, that the machines are dangerous when operating _normally_. The frequency of X-Ray used dumps nearly all its energy in the skin (which is how it is able to produce the images it does, after all). This means a greatly increased chance of skin cancers for frequent flyers, including aircraft crew.

The combined facts that these machines aren't being certified by the federal agency which regulates X-Ray machines used on people and are being operated by folks who are not trained medical X-Ray technicians were already worrying me. This news just confirms that my worries are valid.

There is a history of skin cancer in my family. I am not flying again until these machines are removed and the gropings stopped.

Comments

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

I've gone for the grope when I've flown. I have so far refrained from being too cocky (take that however you want) but I got pretty pissed at the chick who, after asking why I'd made that choice, and listening to me tell her about skin cancer (which doesn't run in my family per se; as far as I know it started with me) and the (granted, fairly minimal, due to the state of my free time) research I'd done which suggested I shouldn't risk it, commented that she likes to know, because some people, like me, are completely misinformed -- but of course it's my choice... Grrrrr.