Remember those full body X-Ray scanning machines in the movie Total Recall? Well, they’re not just science fiction any more.

Let’s set aside the questionable constitutionality of a virtual strip search without probable cause for a moment…which is a tough order, I know, but I have another concern.

The current round of “voluntary testing” described in the article below doesn’t mention anything about a proper study of the health risks associated with such a frequent exposure to X-Rays (despite their claims of using “low power X-rays”).

Last I checked, any repeated exposure to any kind of X-Rays isn’t a good idea. The only reason the X-Rays that our chiropractors and dentists use on us aren’t harmful is because we are only exposed to them infrequently; No more than once a year of either kind is a good idea. This is why the person operating the equipment needs to stay behind the protective window when they flick the switch (the dangers of repeated exposure).

I hope our government isn’t seriously considering frying all of us under these systems and waiting to find out later what the health risks are.

I hope the people volunteering to be searched by such systems are warned adequately in advance about the possible health risks involved.

If there aren’t any risks involved, and I’m worrying for nothing, I’d like to see a report from someone objective and reputable confirming this beyond a shadow of a doubt.

See the AP story by Mike Branom:
New Security Devices at Fla. Airport.

One system, the Rapiscan Secure 1000, uses low-energy X-rays to search a person through clothing. When Rapiscan project manager Bryan Allman scanned himself, detected was a plastic knife hidden in his shirt pocket.

However, the outline of his body