The European Union on Monday banned the use of X-ray body scanners European airports, separate ways with the U.S. Safety Administration Transportation, which has deployed hundreds of scanners as a way to screen millions of passengers for explosives hidden under clothing.
The European Commission, which requires a common policy of the EU 27 member states, has been the norm, "so as not to jeopardize the health and public safety."
As a study ProPublica / PBS News hour detailed earlier this month, body scanners use X-ray radiation, a form of energy that has been shown to damage DNA and cause cancer. Although the amount of radiation is extremely low, corresponding to the radiation a person would receive in a few minutes to fly, several scientific studies have concluded that a small number of cancer cases would result in the digitization of several hundred million passengers per year.
European countries will be allowed to use an alternative body scanner, if it is dependent on radio frequency, which have not been linked to cancer. TSA also deployed hundreds of these machines - known as millimeter wave scanners - at U.S. airports. But unlike Europe, has decided to use both types of scanners.
The TSA would not comment specifically on the EU decision. But in a statement, the TSA spokesman, Mike McCarthy, said: "As one of our many layers of security, the TSA has deployed the most advanced technology available to provide the best opportunity to detect dangerous objects, such as explosives.
"We test our technology to ensure it meets our high detection and safety standards before it is placed in airports," he said. "Since January 2010, Imaging Technology advanced discovered more than 300 dangerous objects or illegal passengers at U.S. airports nationwide. "
Body scanners have been controversial in the United States since they were deployed in prisons in the 1990s and at the airports of the tests after the 9 / 11. Most of the controversy has focused on privacy, because the machines can produce graphic images. But manufacturers have already installed filters confidentiality.
When TSA began using hundreds of underwear after the failed attempt of the body on Christmas Day 2009, many researchers began to raise concerns about the health risks of X-Ray Scanner, noting that even low levels of radiation increases the risk of cancer.
As part of our study examined the safety ProPublica foreign countries and found that few nations have used X-ray scanner. The United Kingdom uses, but only for the detection of high school, when a passenger triggered the metal detector or arouse suspicion.
Under the new policy of the European Commission, the United Kingdom are allowed to complete a test of X-ray scanners, but not permanently implemented when the trial ends, said Helen Kearns, the carrier word of European Commissioner transport, Siim Kallas.
"These new rules will ensure that when this technology is used will be covered by European standards on the detection capability and strict measures to protect human health and fundamental freedoms," said Kallas.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen