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08 July 2008

Answer to Question #4862 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Security Screening — Airport Screening

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Would airport baggage screening equipment (x-ray machine) have any negative effect on fish? If the exposure to airport x-ray screening equipment is minimum or low-dose, then why does the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) ask that animals not be passed through the x-ray machine? NOTE: Our fish were passed through the x-ray screening equipment at the checkpoint and now over half of them have died. No outward appearance of illness was noticed.

Since the amount of radiation exposure emitted in one of these units would be orders of magnitude less than the radiation exposure needed to cause health or fertility risks in humans then there would be no harm to a fish.

Metabolic functions in cold-blooded species are slower than in warm-blooded species. That probably includes mitotic function. Because radiation is most disruptive or destructive to rapidly mitotic tissues (gut, bone marrow, lymphoid tissue), my expectation would be that fish would be MORE resistant to the effects of irradiation than a mammal.

I'm not sure why TSA officials suggest that animals not go through the screening units. I find that a bit odd because they know that if you're traveling with a pet, they will have to be screened so the suggestion not to have them screened is a bit contradictory. My suspicions are that they have standard verbal instructions to give to passengers and this is included on their list.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist

Answer posted on 17 October 2005. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.