Report: Body scanners increase cancer risk

Scanners banned in Europe

ORLANDO, Fla. – The airport scanners used at Orlando International Airport have been linked to elevated cancer risk, resulting in them being banned in several European countries, according to a PBS NewsHour - ProPublica report.

"Honestly, that's really scary," said Judy Mariano. "If they've done the research and are taking these things out of their airports, I guess we should certainly be investigating that."

"It scares me that they are right here in this airport," she added.

According to the PBS NewsHour - ProPublica report, the body scanners could result in 6 - 100 U.S. airline passengers being diagnosed with cancer each year.

The machines, called "backscatters," emit radiation, but the Transportation Security Administration said the level is too small to be harmful. The TSA said the radiation from the machine is less than flying on a plane for two minutes.

"I take the physical pat-down every time," said Lenny Emory. "When you ask the TSA for information, technical data, they give you one piece of Xerox and it's got a cell phone and a whimpy box. The comparison is ludicrous, so I've always opted out of the machine."

Click here to read the PBS NewsHour - ProPublica report.

Click here to read the TSA's body scanner information.


Recommended Videos