If you’re travelling by air, you may be wondering whether you should check your luggage using an X-ray machine. Although they’re becoming more common, the technology is not perfect. For example, in the past, airport screeners frequently failed to identify potentially dangerous objects, such as bombs and weapons. An undercover Homeland Security team found that 95 percent of the time, they were unable to distinguish the simulated objects from real ones. This revelation led to the resignation of the acting director of the Transportation Security Administration and calls for more effective methods of screening baggage. However, new research has produced a system that can accurately identify the materials in luggage, and it’s much more efficient.
The system used in these airports has to match the high standards of medical CT scans to detect a variety of objects. A hospital’s CT scanner rotates on a gantry and delivers a varying dose. Unlike a traditional CT scan, an airport’s screening system uses multiple X-ray sources in real-time. While the detection rates for luggage x-ray machines are less than those of a medical CT scan, it’s still worth knowing.
The X-ray baggage display shows the general shape and color of the items being checked. Yellow items are organic and safe, while green and black items are hazardous. Passengers with items that are either green or black will be asked to open their checked baggage. In addition to containing hazardous materials, these devices can also detect weapons and infectious disease pathogens. These are among the many reasons why you should check your luggage for prohibited or restricted items.
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