DHS-TSA introduced the back-scatter x-ray CastScope in June of 2010 to inspect prosthetics, peak inside a cast or under a bandage as a screening device.  This equipment uses powerful medical grade x-rays to perform what technically is a medical procedure.  The CastScope is often used by poorly trained personnel attempting to operate this complex x-ray machine.  Multiple exposures are often required to image a bandage or cast, exposing the person and sensitive tissue to penetrating x-rays.  This complex unshielded x-ray machine exposes the traveler, helper, security person and people nearby with ionizing radiation.  

The CastScope Should be operated by Radiologists or Medical Professionals 

TSA suffers from high personnel turnover and a general lack of training, TSA staff tries very hard to operate this complex tool and perform this medical procedure. People already with a medical issue are asked to hold still while security personnel fumbles around aiming this radiation source.  Security staff sincerely tries to delicately operate this machine on a person that may be in pain or injured by the procedure.

Lack of Training Generally Increases Dose to Traveler

TSA "security" procedures are inconstant and often humiliating for people without medical issues. This lack of training and resulting fumbling translates into making more exposures increasing the dose to the traveler and all in the immediate area.  Fumbling combined with lack of training often unfortunately often also results in inconsistent, unfair, abusive and often embarrassing screenings.   People are correctly concerned about radiation exposure, the length of time it takes to be screened and a lack of qualified personnel operating the devices  

Physics professors concerned about screening health risk.  

Peter Rez, a physics professor at Arizona State University, says he doesn't believe the dose of radiation emitted by the devices "is as low as claimed." But, he says, it is probably less than the dose from natural background radiation or the dose received when flying at a high altitude. The probability of dying from cancer from radiation from airport body scanners is equal to the probability of being blown up by a terrorist on an aircraft, Rez says.

Security Areas Should be Marked as Radiation Areas

We also are concerned the dose from this machine is a health risk to the traveler and all in the area.  CastScope uses the same operating principles as the whole body back-scatter strip machines in use at hundreds of check points and by mobile back-scatter vans that may be driving past your home. 

While the dose from the back-scatter body machines is still shrouded in mystery.  For highly technical reasons measuring a rapidly moving x-ray beam is difficult resulting in a underestimate of the exposure.  The dose to the skin and soft tissues is further underestimated by the use of "whole body exposure"  that averages the dose over the body voulume.

We are concern that the CastScope is just one more source of ionizing radiation adding to our exposure and putting security and travelers at additional risk.  This complex unshielded x-ray machine like the back-scatter whole body scanner is public health risk.       

Jeff Buske CTO Rocky Flats Gear Inc. Original USA mfg of Airport Scanner Protective Garments  2011

www.rockyflatsgear.com

Original story:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-08-25-airportscreening25_ST_N.htm

Related Links:

http://www.amputee-coalition.org/index.html

http://www.rockyflatsgear.com/How-penetrating-are-airport-back-scatter-x-rays.html

http://www.rockyflatsgear.com/Airport-Back-scatter-Scanner-Dose-Explained.html