The X-ray dose from these devices has often been compared in the media to the cosmic ray exposure inherent to airplane travel or that of a chest X-ray. However, this comparison is very misleading: both the air travel cosmic ray exposure and chest X-rays have much higher X-ray energies and the health consequences are appropriately understood in terms of the whole body volume dose.
In addition, it appears that real independent safety data do not exist. A search, ultimately finding top FDA radiation physics staff, suggests that the relevant radiation quantity, the Flux [photons per unit area and time (because this is a scanning device)] has not been characterized. Instead an indirect test (Air Kerma) was made that emphasized the whole body exposure value, and thus it appears that the danger is low when compared to cosmic rays during airplane travel and a chest X-ray dose.
In summary, if the key data (flux-integrated photons per unit values) were available, it would be straightforward to accurately model the dose being deposited in the skin and adjacent tissues using available computer codes, which would resolve the potential concerns over radiation damage.
Our colleagues at UCSF, dermatologists and cancer experts, raise specific important concerns:
A) The large population of older travelers, 65 years of age, is particularly at risk from the mutagenic effects of the X-rays based on the known biology of melanocyte aging.
B) A fraction of the female population is especially sensitive to mutagenesis-provoking radiation leading to breast cancer. Notably, because these women, who have defects in DNA repair mechanisms, are particularly prone to cancer, X-ray mammograms are not performed on them. The dose to breast tissue beneath the skin represents a similar risk.
C) Blood (white blood cells) perfusing the skin is also at risk.
D) The population of immunocompromised individuals — HIV and cancer patients (see above) is likely to be at risk for cancer induction by the high skin dose.
E) The risk of radiation emission to children and adolescents does not appear to have been fully evaluated.
F) The policy towards pregnant women needs to be defined once the theoretical risks to the fetus are determined.
G) Because of the proximity of the testicles to skin, this tissue is at risk for sperm mutagenesis.
H) Have the effects of the radiation on the cornea and thymus been determined?
Editor's Note: The rest of the Letter of Concern can be read on the White House's Blog: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/ucsf-jph-letter.pdf
The FDA has responded to the professor's letter: FDA's response letter (fda.gov)
We're providing the TSA's Pat Downs for Travelers:
As part of the screening process, only a very small percent of passengers will get a pat-down in a given day. One of the main reasons for a pat-down is to resolve an alarm in either the metal detector or imaging technology. To reduce the need for a pat-down, the most important thing you can do is take everything out of your pockets before you go through screening. You can put these items in your carry-on bag. Don't wear clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go through security.
Another reason you will get a pat-down is if you opt out of being screened by Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). This technology is optional, but if you do opt out, we must ensure you have the same level of screening that this technology provides, which includes looking for metallic and non-metallic items.
If you are directed for a pat-down, it should take less than three minutes. The officer will fully inform you of the process before and during the pat-down, and ask you if you have concerns, such as medical devices or areas painful to touch. At any time during the process, you can ask to have the pat-down done in private. You may also have someone accompany you. If they alarm, children 12 and under will receive a modified pat-down.
In any case where a pat-down is required, you have important options that we want you to be aware of: you have the option to request that the pat-down be conducted in a private room and you have the option to have that pat-down witnessed by a person of your choice.
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