Airport full-body scanners
Full-body scanners are devices used in some airports to ensure that passengers are not carrying prohibited items aboard the aircraft.
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Types of scanners
There are two types of full-body scanning systems: one uses millimetre-wave technology and the other uses x-ray technology.
The scanning systems currently used in Canada are millimetre-wave scanners, which do not emit x-rays. The millimetre-wave body scanner works by projecting low-level millimetre-wave, radio-frequency (RF) energy above and around the passenger's body. The RF energy is reflected back from the body and from objects concealed on the body to produce a generic image indicating areas requiring additional search. Only a small portion of the RF energy transmitted by the device is absorbed within a thin layer (1 mm) of the body's surface.
X-ray scanners emit low levels of x-rays, which are a form of electromagnetic ionizing radiation. This type of scanner is not in use in Canadian airports.
Safety of full-body scanners used in Canada
The millimetre-wave scanners do not pose a risk to human health and safety. Health Canada has assessed the technical information on these devices and concluded that the radiofrequency energy emitted by the device is well within Canada's guidelines for safe human exposure.
The electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation used in these scanners is based on millimetre wave technology and does not pose a risk to human health and safety, from either single or repeated exposures.
Health Canada's role
To protect the public from any possible health effects associated with exposure to radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy, Health Canada developed a guideline, commonly known as Safety Code 6, which sets safe human exposure limits.
The limits specified in this guideline were established after Health Canada scientists reviewed the results of hundreds of studies over the past several decades on the biological effects of radiofrequency energy. Health Canada has set general public exposure limits at 50 times lower than the threshold for potentially adverse health effects.
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