by JADE MINGUS / KVUE News
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kvue.com
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Updated
Wednesday, Nov 2 at 9:31 PM
AUSTIN -- The first full-body scanner has arrived at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It is located near passenger security lines near the American Airlines counter. The machine is idle right now, but the Transportation Security Administration says it will be fully operational in two weeks.
TSA plans to place four scanners in ABIA. The machines use Advanced Imaging Technology, or ATI, to screen passengers.
When a passenger walks through the machine a generic outline of a body shows up on the screen. TSA said it is the same generic image for each passenger.
If a problem is detected on the passenger, including the presence of a weapon or explosives, that area will be highlighted. A TSA spokesperson said the images will not be saved.
Passengers who refuse a full body scan must undergo a pat-down.
While the scanners are not expected to be operational until mid-November, air travelers are already debating the machine's effectiveness.
"I'm not in favor; I'm not excited about them at all," said air passenger Derinda Larned. "I think they are way too invasive, not enough privacy."
Air traveler Scott Witter disagrees.
"The way I look at is, whatever makes us safe when we are traveling," he said.
TSA claims the new scanners are safe for all passengers including children and pregnant women. The agency said the new technology emits 10,000 times less radio frequency energy than an average cell phone.
Texans for Accountable Government fought against the scanners for months. Norman Horn said the millimeter wave technology used by the scanners could be harmful.
"There is some evidence to suggest higher exposure to microwave radiation is linked to cancer. The fact is, no clinical trials have been done to study the effects over the long term," Horn said.
The American College of Radiologists released a statement about their stance on the scanners. The group said it is not aware of any evidence that the TSA's scanning technologies would present "significant biological effects for passengers screened."
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