The backscatter again
I have always had my suspicion about the backscatter machine and I wrote an article in 2009 about what I suspect to be the dangers of the machine. I was happy, but not surprised when I heard that it is now being removed from airports in the USA.{{more}}
There are many persons who think that if you are not an expert on a subject, you should not voice your opinion. I know this is a myth, because I have lived long enough to see expert opinions reversed and some things that were considered safe, declared to be unsafe later on. A good example is asbestos. You have to go with your gut feeling and draw upon the information given by other experts in the field.
I am in support of safe flying. I believe that those in authority should use such methods that would pull the bad guys out, but such methods should take into consideration the health and other concerns of fliers. Those who supported the backscatter machine claim that the radiation is negligible. They were not too concerned about the cumulative effect over the years, because, as they see it, we are subjected to radiation every day. But I have always heard that we must not even have x-rays (those recommended by doctors) too often.
To be continued.
Ada Johnson is a solicitor and barrister-at-law.
E-mail address is: exploringthelaw@yahoo.com