Topic: Tsa Radiation

TSA is expanding the use of fingerprint technology in pre-check lanes at airports in Atlanta and Denver, raising concerns about the creation of a national biometric database. Additionally, the effectiveness of facial recognition technology is discussed, alongside potential health risks from increased X-ray radiation in new scanning equipment. Some critics suggest that these security measures are moving toward a mandatory "chipping" system for travelers.

A "face slapping" beauty practitioner from Thailand charging $350 per session is featured in a news clip from ABC. The discussion then moves to the TSA's replacement of backscatter X-ray machines with millimeter-wave scanners. A CBS News segment is mocked for its "expert" Dr. Jennifer Ashton repeatedly referring to the technology as a "backscanner" while downplaying cancer risks.

New security measures are reportedly being implemented to detect non-metallic body bombs, including increased radiation levels in scanners. Officials are also allegedly training staff to look for passengers "walking funny" as a sign of surgically implanted explosives.

ABC News correspondent Brian Ross claims that U.S. authorities have "turned up the radiation" on airport body scanners to detect surgically implanted explosives. This statement contradicts previous TSA assurances that the scanners do not use harmful radiation, sparking concerns about passenger safety and the transparency of security protocols.

A host recounts a frustrating experience at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport where a TSA agent demanded all paper, including a printed boarding pass, be removed from pockets before entering a scanner. The segment also mentions a listener's "poetic" encounter with a TSA agent who attempted to downplay the radiation risks of the scanning equipment.

Adam Curry reports on a TSA request for information regarding radiation dosimetry devices for its officers. The hosts link this to reports of body scanners being removed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, speculating that the agency is responding to a potential "cancer cluster" among employees exposed to the machines.

Schiphol Airport is implementing a "top-secret" security tunnel that scans passengers with radiation as they walk through. The official in charge reportedly stated that "privacy is for the bathroom" and has no place at the airport. The hosts argue these measures are designed to keep the public in a state of fear.

Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal concerns about cancer clusters among TSA employees at Logan International Airport. Simultaneously, the Department of Homeland Security has patented a "Citizen's Dosimeter" card to measure radiation exposure.

Donations arrive from Switzerland and Australia, including a contribution from the producer managing the Guinness World Record attempt. A donor shares a story about a TSA agent claiming that body scanners emit less radiation than "cutting the grass."

CNN's senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is criticized for her report on TSA full-body scanners. Cohen used the term "teeny weeny weeny" to describe the amount of radiation passengers receive from the machines. The hosts argue that the researchers cited in the report never actually tested the machines, relying instead on manufacturer data.

Adam Curry's daughter refused to go through a body scanner at Schiphol Airport, citing her father's warnings that the machines are "creepy." Her refusal prompted several other American passengers to also opt for a pat-down, leading to a minor delay and a demonstration of solidarity against the scanning technology.

The TSA is re-testing full-body x-ray scanners after admitting to "bookkeeping errors" regarding radiation levels. Reports suggest the actual radiation exposure could be ten times higher than previously claimed. Meanwhile, TSA agents are moving toward unionization, though they will lack collective bargaining rights.

The safety of TSA full-body scanners is questioned following reports in the Seattle Times and New York Times regarding radiation exposure and equipment malfunctions. John C. Dvorak describes his experience at the Las Vegas airport, observing TSA agents standing in close proximity to active scanners for extended periods. The hosts express concern over the long-term health effects of "spurious radiation" on both passengers and security personnel.

The hosts promote an upcoming "Talking Points Memo" regarding TSA scanners, focusing on the health risks of cumulative radiation and the fact that operators are not radiologists. They conclude the show by thanking producers and encouraging continued support through the value-for-value model.

The TSA is accused of executing a strategic PR campaign during Thanksgiving by speeding up security lines to avoid predicted protests. Adam Curry recounts his attempt to join a White House telephone press conference hosted by TSA Administrator John Pistole. Curry intended to ask about radiation testing standards and why agents are forbidden from wearing dosimeters, but he was disconnected shortly after identifying himself.

The safety of TSA scanners is questioned, noting that while institutions like Johns Hopkins approve certain radiation standards, the specific machines in airports have not been independently tested. An anecdote describes how TSA agents are reportedly forbidden from wearing dosimeters, which are standard for medical professionals working with X-rays. The hosts suggest this policy prevents the collection of data regarding actual radiation exposure levels.

The discussion focuses on the health risks associated with TSA full-body scanners, citing a UCSF paper and a CDC report that found twelve checkpoints exceeding safe radiation limits. The hosts criticize the TSA for prohibiting employees from wearing dosimeters to avoid alarming the public. They suggest that travelers should present safety documents to agents and encourage TSA workers to unionize over safety concerns.

A TSA insider reports that the agency often implements unwritten policies before they appear in official handbooks. The expansion of the TSA is characterized as a government jobs program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, while concerns are raised about X-ray leakage from poorly sealed scanning machines.

The Weather Channel featured a segment with Al Roker and former FAA administrator Mary Schiavo discussing airport security. Schiavo claimed body scanners speed up the process while acknowledging they may penetrate skin tissue, suggesting children and pregnant women should opt for pat-downs instead. The hosts criticize the segment as government propaganda and warn of potential health risks from X-ray exposure.

The TSA is deploying 14 backscatter x-ray body scanners at SeaTac Airport as part of a nationwide rollout of 450 machines. Travelers are encouraged to "opt out" of the scans in favor of physical pat-downs to avoid potential radiation exposure. Concerns are raised regarding the long-term health effects on both passengers and TSA employees.