[Personally I would not volunteer for the radiographic intrusuion. --MS] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 2000 BODY IMAGING SYSTEMS What is the body imaging system? The body imaging system uses reflected x-ray energy to produce images of objects concealed under a person’s clothing. The system projects a very narrow beam of x-ray energy that is passed over a person’s body. The beam does not remain stationary on any part of the body. As a result, the system is often called a “body scan.” What does the scan show? Due to the low dosage of x-ray radiation, the x-rays penetrate only a few millimeters below the skin. They do not completely penetrate the body. The images displayed show only those features near the body surface. This allows detection of objects that may be concealed under clothing. The body’s internal anatomy is not shown in the image. The only exceptions are near the skin surface, such as in the lower legs, where bones’ forward surfaces can be seen in the image. Does the device allow inspectors to zoom in on specific areas of the body? The device contains a feature that only allows inspectors to highlight an object hidden under clothing to determine if it is contraband. Does Customs keep an image? Customs only keeps an image if the body scan detects illegal contraband, since the image may be needed for potential prosecution. Do all international air passengers get scanned? No. During the course of their normal duties, Customs inspectors may select an arriving international passenger for questioning and/or a baggage examination. Customs inspectors do not use race, gender, religion or ethnic background to select passengers. If, during the examination, the Customs inspector develops good reason to suspect that a passenger is carrying contraband on the body, the passenger is offered the choice of undergoing a patdown or a body scan. The body scan is offered as a less intrusive alternative to the patdown, since the passenger is not physically touched during the body scan process. The vast majority of arriving international passengers do not undergo either a patdown or a body scan by Customs. On average, only one out of every 2,000 international passengers will reach this level of search. What other controls govern the use of the body scan? Customs inspectors are barred from administering a body scan on any passenger without the written consent of that passenger. The passenger must sign a consent form before a body scan. Furthermore, each use of the body scan requires approval from a Customs supervisor. In addition, the operator of the body scan system must be of the same sex as the passenger being examined. Body scans are only operated in private areas or closed rooms, out of the view of the general public. The system operator is the only individual who has a view of the screen. Were these systems introduced in response to the recent arrests of suspected terrorists on the U.S./Canadian border? No. Customs began deploying these systems at designated airports in early 1999 to combat drug smuggling. Where are the systems being used by U.S. Customs? Systems are currently in place at JFK Airport, Miami International Airport, Chicago O’Hare Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, Houston Intercontinental Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport. By March 2000, systems are scheduled to be placed at Dulles International and Newark International Airports. Why has Customs kept the deployment of these systems secret until now? Customs has not kept these systems secret. In fact, Customs has held numerous press conferences over the past year highlighting the deployment of body scans at airports in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and other locations. Are pregnant women subjected to body scans? As noted above, a body scan is completely voluntary. Scientific studies and reports by independent labs confirm that the system is safe for use on all persons, including pregnant women. However, by policy , Customs does not allow a body scan to be administered to a woman who knows, believes, or is unsure if she is pregnant. What is the dose of radiation? Each scan of the body exposes the person being examined to a 3-5 microRem dose of x-ray radiation. What does that mean? Every person is continually exposed to radiation from naturally occurring radioactive materials in the air and soil. This is considered “background” radiation and ranges between 10 and 20 microRem per hour. Cosmic radiation from space also provides radiation that increases with elevation. Commercial airline passengers are typically exposed to 500 microRem per hour during a flight at 35,000 feet above sea level. The radiation exposure from the body imaging system is small compared to the radiation exposure from naturally occurring background radiation. Can the systems leak radiation? How will someone know if that is occurring? The systems, by Federal regulation, must contain interlocks and safety systems. Testing by independent laboratories confirmed that the internal safety systems alleviate the danger from potential radiation exposure. In addition, Customs is placing dosimeters (radiation measurement devices) on each system. The devices will be replaced and forwarded to an independent laboratory for evaluation every four months. The systems are only operated by Customs officers who have been trained in radiation safety and in the proper use of the body imaging system. #### P.S. 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