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New Airport Body Scanners Prompt Concerns
   posted 10:54 am Wed June 11, 2008 - WASHINGTON
ABC 7 News - New Airport Body Scanners Prompt Concerns
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The Transportation Security Administration is unveiling new screening technology at Reagan National Airport (web|news) that has some travelers concerned it is too up close and personal.

The full body scanner takes a 360-degree X-ray of person, effectively removing the individual's clothes to reveal what's underneath. While the technology is adept at revealing hidden weapons, including guns and explosives, it also reveals the intimate contours of the body.

"I can definitely see why someone would feel why it's an imposition," said traveler Phyllis Solomon.

"I'm a little uncomfortable of there being an image of my body without clothes on," said Erica Lebow.

For the sake of privacy, the screener viewing the X-ray image is stationed at a separate location, removed from the scanner's physical location. The screener then communicates any potential problems with an agent stationed near the scanner.

Additionally, the passenger's face is blurred out during the process and the image is instantly erased, TSA says, once the individual has cleared security.

"It does exploit a lot, but you can't tell that's me," said traveler Shirlene Jackson. "All you see is an image. It does show an awful lot, but nowadays there's just so many crude people in the world."

Proponents said there couldn't be enough security.

"Whatever makes for a safe flight, we're in favor of it," said Syl Solomon.

"We saw that on 9/11, I lost 30 friends that day. I worked in the trade center, and I never want to see that again," said aviation expert Bill Fife.

Each machine costs about $170,000. It was first tested last year at Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport, and has expanded to other terminals across the country.

TSA plans to install 600 of the machines this year.

The agency maintains the multi-view X-ray, using Millimeter wave technology, is harmless from a health standpoint.


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ABC 7 Talkback: New Airport Body Scanners Prompt Concerns
Diplomat
I'm betting that Muslim women will have a problem with this.

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