Safety of Full-body scanners

D Willingham made this Freedom of Information request to Health and Safety Executive

The request was partially successful.

From: D Willingham

10 January 2010

Dear Health and Safety Executive,

Airports will soon use various types of full-body scanners.
However, there is published work suggesting that the various
scanning technologies may have a substantial negative health impact
on those who are scanned. This would include people required to use
these scanners in the course of their employment.

Has the HSE got any guidance, safety data or exposure limits
relating to the exposure of people to the various electromagnetic
waves used in such scanners? This includes, but is not limited to
occasional exposure, short-term occupational exposure, and
long-term occupational exposure.

The types of scanning technologies include, but are not limited to,
Terahertz wave scanners, millimetre wave scanners, the use of X-ray
scanners, and any other technologies proposed to be used in
scanning people at airports?

Please publish all guidance, safety data, details of studies,
exposure limits.

Please publish details of any proposed work, or work in progress
that would relate to the safety of these scanners, along with
expected availability dates.

Yours faithfully,

D Willingham

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From: Infoline Admin

12 January 2010

Ref: HPHS-7ZMEF4

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the risks from full-body scanners.

Infoline is unable to respond to your enquiry as it requires a specialist
response. Therefore it has been forwarded for reply to:

Matthew Penrose

Radiation Policy Section

Health and Safety Executive

Redgrave Court

Merton Road

Bootle

Merseyside

L20 7HS

Tel - 0151 951 4000 (switchboard)

If you require to contact HSE again regarding this enquiry please quote
the reference number above.

I hope this helps, but if you require further assistance, please do not
hesitate to contact this address again or telephone HSE Infoline on 08453
450055.

Yours sincerely

Helena Phillips

HSE Infoline

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Health and Safety Executive

5 February 2010

Attachment FOI request Airport body scanners HSE response 5 February 2010.DOC.doc
43K Download View as HTML

Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your request for information held by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) relating to airport body scanners.

Please see my response letter - attached.

Matthew Penrose | Work Environment, Radiation & Gas Division

( +44 (0) 151 951 4909 | VPN: 523 4909 | Mobile: +44(0) 7748932370

* Health and Safety Executive, 5S.G Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle,
Merseyside L20 7HS [1]www.hse.gov.uk

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