“I have urged TSA to move toward only radiation-free screening technology,” says Maine Sen. Susan Collins.
Environment & Energy Daily reports,
The top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has introduced bipartisan legislation that would require an independent study of the health effects associated with X-ray machines used to screen passengers at airports.
The bill, S. 2044, from Maine Sen. Susan Collins, would require the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, along with the National Science Foundation, to review the possible health risks posed by radiation emitted from backscatter scanning machines that are currently employed by the Transportation Security Administration.
Collins’ legislation, introduced Tuesday, would also require airports to give passengers clear notice that there are alternative screening methods. In particular, Collins said those alternatives must be made available to groups who may be potentially sensitive to X-ray radiation, like pregnant women.
“I have urged TSA to move toward only radiation-free screening technology,” Collins said on the Senate floor. “In the meantime, an independent study is needed to protect the public and to determine what technology is worthy of taxpayer dollars. Surely passengers should be well informed of their screening options.”
The ‘radiation-free’ alternative is getting manually frisked. I imagine some people enjoy it.
Congress says to stay out of the sun and tanning beds but you must go through radiation screening. This makes as much sense as trying to eliminate background mercury from coal fired plants while mandating everyone have it at home in light bulbs. I feel so safe with these experts in charge.