Documents Show TSA Cover-Up of Body Scanner Cancer Risk
SallyPainter view more articles
07 March 2016 10:00
Facebook 217 [url=https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?hashtags=&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.topsecretwriters.com%2F2016%2F03%2Fdocuments-show-tsa-cover-up-of-body-scanner-cancer-risk%2F&related=undefined&source=tweetbutton&text=Documents Show TSA Cover-Up of Body Scanner Cancer risk&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.topsecretwriters.com%2F2016%2F03%2Fdocuments-show-tsa-cover-up-of-body-scanner-cancer-risk%2F&via=https://twitter.com/topsecretwriter]Twitter[/url] 0 [url=http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http://www.topsecretwriters.com/2016/03/documents-show-tsa-cover-up-of-body-scanner-cancer-risk/&media=http://www.topsecretwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/body-scanner-660x375.jpg&description=Documents Show TSA Cover-Up of Body Scanner Cancer Risk]Pinterest[/url] 4 Google 10 [url=http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=http://www.topsecretwriters.com/2016/03/documents-show-tsa-cover-up-of-body-scanner-cancer-risk/&title=Documents Show TSA Cover-Up of Body Scanner Cancer Risk]LinkedIn[/url] 2
The non-profit public interest research center, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), obtained documents that reveal the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intentionally misled the public about the safety of full body scanners (1).
EPIC settled an appeal for their FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) case against DHS and finally obtained body scanner radiation fact sheets. Prior to this appeal, EPIC states that the DHS’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) “withheld test results, fact sheets, and estimates regarding the radiation risks of body scanners used to screen passengers at airports.”
EPIC first filed the FOIA request on July 13, 2010 with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The request was for “agency records that directly relate to the radiation risks posed by TSA’s full body scanner program.”
EPIC reports that “DHS acknowledged receipt of EPIC’s FOIA request, but failed to disclose any documents.” EPIC then sued DHS for the documents on November 19, 2010 (2).
While the DHS did immediately disclose “key documents” at that time, according to EPIC the agency still withheld other documents. The first group of documents released in 2010 revealed test results that the radiation from using full body scanners might have been more than what the TSA claimed.
As for the lawsuit to force DHS to disclose all of the documents, the lower court determined that “the factual material was ‘deliberative’ and therefore exempt from the FOIA”. Countering this block, EPIC joined an appellate mediation and was finally able to obtain the other documents.
EPIC’s successful appeal argued that “federal agencies may not withhold factual information under the ‘deliberative process privilege’ in the Freedom of Information Act.” The court agreed.
What the Fact Sheets Revealed
In examining the TSA documents, EPIC discovered that the agency (TSA) “did not perform a ‘quantitative analysis’ of risks and benefits before implementing the body scanner program.”These were some of the concerns that EPIC addressed in its 2011 lawsuit against DHS for the suspension of the body scanner program. That lawsuit resulted in the successful “removal of backscatter X-ray scanners from US airports”.
The “backscatter” X-Ray uses “high energy X-rays”. These X-rays penetrate materials more than medical X-rays that are low-energy. In effect, the machine penetrates clothing to reveal the nude body of the person being scanned.
This intrusion of individual privacy through such indiscreet imaging of a person’s body and the security flaws in the equipment being used along with the TSA’s ability to store those images indefinitely are components of another EPIC lawsuit against DHS/TSA.
Among the documents that EPIC received under FOIA were two emails from AJ Castilla, President of Local 2617 in Boston, MA. One email was to the union members and the other was to Heather Callahan DFSD, who Castilla identifies as the person over the health and safety issues of the airport (3).
The May 19, 2010 email to Callahan has a subject line that read: “RE: BOS TSO cancer + radiation safety and health risk concerns”
Castilla writes that TSOs “consistently complain to me [as I am sure they are complaining to TSA] about their concern over the growing number of TSOs working here that have been diagnosed as having cancer and of their concerns that TSA’s utilized technology may be to be blame.”
Castilla notes that while some of those with cancer are no longer working at the airport, “….BOS still has an alarmingly high number of cancer afflicted TSOs still working here or out while trying to address the illness.”
A very telling part of the email is Castilla’s reference to this not being a new issue. “Despite TSA management’s past assurances, many TSOs here do not feel safe from radiation threats that may go hand in hand with using x-ray screening technology, especially the newer [installed since TSA federalized airport security] technology that has been lesser used in our country than much older but also feared Rapiscan machines.”
Further revealing of the TSOs’ fears is Castilla’s mention of a current investigation, “I am aware that you are currently helping TSA to investigate the local TSA BOS employees with diagnosed cancer issues…”
Email to Union Members
The other email is also from Castilla and addressed to union members explaining that an email to Callahan had been sent, “…denoting our concern on TSA Boston’s growing number of TSOs working here that have thus far been diagnosed with cancer.”Castilla also states that their concerns about TSAs not having proper radiation monitoring devices and the TSAs concerns about the “non-monitored radiation threat facing both checkpoint and baggage assigned TSOs.”
Castilla stated that a request was made of TSA headquarters “to issue every TSO a radiation monitoring dosimeter device” that workers could clip onto their uniforms. The monitoring devices would then be regularly tested by a “third-party medical facility” so the results could be tracked.
Another document features another two emails. The first email references the second one that’s dated November 16, 2010 about a “telecon” taking place that day with Dr. O’Toole. The first email discusses how the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) called wanting certain clarifications made during the O’Toole teleconference in response to the 11/14/2010 USA Today article titled, “Napolitano: Scanners are safe, pat-downs discreet” (4).
The email explains that the director is “not looking for corrections, just doesn’t want any mischaracterization of their work continued.” The clarifications were bulleted:
–> NIST does not do product testing
–> NIST did not test AIT machines for safety
–> NIST measure the doses of a single machine and compared it against the standard
To understand the context of this email and its directives, an examination of the Napolitano article from November 15, 2010 must be examined. The article was written by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
In the article, Napolitano explained that part of the “layered approach” now being taken with security included the “deployment of new Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) units” (5).
She wrote, “AIT machines are safe, efficient, and protect passenger privacy. They have been independently evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, who have all affirmed their safety.”
Beam Stop Leakage
It’s clear that the NIST director felt Napolitano had mischaracterized the work of the NIST and felt a clarification was necessary so that no one else would overstate the function of the agency – implied or otherwise.Still, in July 2008, the NIST had issued a Radiation Safety and Compliance Report on the Rapiscan, stating that it conformed to all the dose limitation requirements (6).
As for dose to workers, the report stated, “Each of the two units acts as a beam stop for the other unit. However, the geometry is such that the scanning beam emanating from one unit overshoots the cabinet of the other unit by a few inches on each side.” The report made recommendations on how to remedy this.
Another FIOA document released to EPIC was an Executive Summary from The John Hopkins University that references the same issue of the beam stop leakage for the body scanning units. The summary stated that “due to primary beam overshoot” the radiation limit of exposure to the general public, “could potentially be exceeded”. The report recommended that each installation site be assessed “or a beam stop be considered” (7).
The NIST report stated there was “no data received concerning scatter radiation”. This is the radiation that scatters to adjacent areas during the scanning of a person. Also, no data was provided on “radiation ‘leakage’ emissions from the two cabinets”.
Ongoing Can of Worms
According to Napolitano’s 2010 article, the majority of people prefer body scanners over traditional methods, yet, EPIC reports just the opposite. Subsequently, the 2015 TSA’s decision to abolish the opt-out of airport body scanners resulted in a coalition of EPIC and 25 other organizations petitioning DHS and Congress for a hearing (8).EPIC won an earlier lawsuit against DHS for violating federal law by installing the full body scanners without notice or comments from the public. The scanners were ordered removed. Since the DHS failed to comply with the law, the DC Circuit court found in EPIC’s favor and ordered the agency to “promptly solicit public comments” on the use of airport body scanners.
However, that was nearly five years ago and DHS has yet to issue the final rule based on public comments. In July 2012, EPIC filed a “Petition for Mandamus” with the DC Circuit requesting the agency be forced to comply with the order and the law (9).
Still, DHS failed to issue the final rule as mandated by the court. In July 2015, Competitive Enterprise Institute along with others filed a “Petition for a Writ of Mandamus” similar to the 2012 EPIC petition for Mandamus against DHS in an effort to force the agency to comply with the original court order (10).
EPIC reports that the expected TSA issuance of its final rule on the controversial topic of body scanners is March 3, 2016.
In December 2015, DHS/TSA published a change to the airport scanning procedure. The change denies air passengers their right to opt-out of body scanning (11).
This opened up another legal issue surrounding DHS. EPIC spearheaded a coalition along with other watchdog human rights groups to fight DHS once more. According to Forbes, the coalition is asking Congress to hold hearings in order to “assess TSA’s conduct and calling for an interim halt of whole body scanner funding and for increased oversight of the TSA” (12).
References & Image Credits:
(1) TSW: The Corrupt TSA How Bad Is It
(2) EPIC
(3) EPIC: Radiation Cluster Dosimeter
(4) EPIC: Radiation
(5) USA Today
(6) EPIC: Radiation NIST
(7) EPIC: Radiation Hopkins
(8) Privacy Coalition
(9) EPIC: Petition
(10) EPIC: DC Circuit Orders TSA
(11) EPIC: Body Scanner
(12) Forbes
(13) Images of Full Body Scanner
(14) Rapiscan
Originally published on TopSecretWriters.com
http://www.topsecretwriters.com/2016/03/documents-show-tsa-cover-up-of-body-scanner-cancer-risk/
Today at 7:04 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/16/24 IQD Update - Iraq Dinar - America - Activate - Massive Economic Deals -
Today at 7:02 am by Rocky
» utube MM&c 4/19/24 Iraqi Dinar - Private Sector - Economic Stability - Financial Reform - Al Sudan
Today at 7:01 am by Rocky
» Iraq officially signs the “Singapore” agreement to resolve trade disputes
Today at 6:59 am by Rocky
» Parliament Finance advises raising exchange rates again... What about oil revenues?
Today at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is in the process of recovery and has taken its leading position that attracts work
Today at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Al-Araji: Iraq is prepared to deal with all circumstances and seeks partnership with the United Stat
Today at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Sudanese from Michigan: The government represents all components and is keen to take care of the aff
Today at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Democratic Party: The "new generation" is the most corrupt and has dozens of cases in court
Today at 6:47 am by Rocky
» What is the benefit of Iraq establishing a petrochemical plant in Egypt?!.. An oil expert explains
Today at 6:46 am by Rocky
» A judicial delegation participates in the Permanent International Forum for Commercial Courts in Qat
Today at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government follows a balanced policy that makes Iraq a station for security
Today at 6:42 am by Rocky
» Deduction of 160 million dinars from the salaries of MPs absent from Parliament sessions
Today at 6:40 am by Rocky
» Central Bank: Washington praised Iraq's measures to resolve 80% of the financial transfer file
Today at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Voices of Resilience: Al-Sudani’s frankness embarrasses the White House
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Alaq confirms the formation of a committee between Baghdad and Washington regarding sanctions on
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Former MP: The Democrat will not hand over power after the regional elections
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Document/allocation of 20% of the lands of Al-Jawahiri Complex to employees of the Ministry of Defen
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim: Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington was a protocol and missed the two most important files
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Security: The National Security Service law will be voted on by Parliament soon
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction and Housing: Zarbatieh residential project completed by 82%
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani reveals an intention to establish Al-Faw refinery with a capacity of 300 thousand barrels
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Government readiness to move the Doura refinery to an alternative location.. What are the conditions
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington.. Implications and results
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Association of Iraqi Private Banks: The suspension of some electronic payment services yesterday was
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary memorandum.. Two solutions were before the Federal Court instead of removing the compo
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Blue fuel... Iraqi steps towards inexhaustible wealth for a century
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» For fear of being "upset"... MPs "evade" signing to host Al-Sudani in Parliament
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s statement to convert 40% of Iraq’s exports into derivatives.. What does it have to do wi
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» An Iraqi-American partnership to benefit from oil field gas
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Commerce announces the distribution of the first payments of farmers’ dues for the 2
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Sudanese to members of the Iraqi community in the American city of Houston: Iraq has regained its he
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Romanski announces loans worth $50 million to support the Iraqi private sector
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: We plan to invest production capacities for export
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» “Something happened” in Iran and no one is talking about Iraq and Syria. This is what we have so far
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani asks the American Baker Institute for assistance in preparing studies related to the oil m
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» The Interior Ministry denies the occurrence of explosions inside Iraqi territory and diagnoses “the
Today at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Tensions between Najaf and Baghdad over the airport... the rule of law over “military force” and the
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani from Washington: We agreed with Abu Dhabi on joint management of Al-Faw Port
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» "Al-Party" talks about the region's elections and reveals the reason for refusing to pay salaries di
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Russia's oil is taking more of the Middle East's shares in the Indian market.. How much has Iraq los
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Early next month.. Traffic confirms that the electronic payment system is working only
Today at 4:27 am by Rocky
» The Service Council accuses state departments of refraining from disbursing bonuses because of the m
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Electricity: The Baghdad street lighting campaign will be completed before the middle of this year
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Oil poses two conditions for moving the Doura refinery to an alternative location
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» The Foreign Minister reveals the truth about his resignation and the reason for his departure to Erb
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Progress: Al-Halbousi’s acquittal has become conclusive, and his return to the presidency of Parliam
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Disagreements strike Al-Maliki's coalition over choosing the governor of Diyala
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» The Union accuses Türkiye of exploiting the political situation for a ground incursion into Iraq
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» The Democratic Party: Barzani is eagerly awaiting the results of Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Frame: Al-Halbousi in the news and his return has become a pipe dream
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary request to capitalize on Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad to end the water crisis
Today at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani urges the US corporation Honeywell to help finish the Basra refinery
Yesterday at 2:48 pm by Rocky
» Al-Sudani Meets with Representatives of Western Media Outlets in Washington
Yesterday at 2:46 pm by Rocky
» Chairman of the Investment Authority signs the United Nations Convention on International Mediation
Yesterday at 2:44 pm by Rocky
» PM: We will sign a contract to establish the Al-Faw refinery with a Chinese company
Yesterday at 2:42 pm by Rocky
» PM arrives in Houston as part of his visit to USA
Yesterday at 2:41 pm by Rocky
» Militia Man & Crew 4/18/24 Bush signed it and all presidents implemented it. Iraq’s funds have been
Yesterday at 1:46 pm by Rocky
» Iraq is close to launching the electronic signature
Yesterday at 7:12 am by Rocky
» The Basra government discusses with an international oil company the implementation of social benefi
Yesterday at 7:11 am by Rocky
» The Prime Minister confirms to an American company: Gas projects in Iraq are a priority for the gove
Yesterday at 7:10 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Planning discusses with the World Bank mechanisms for scheduling external loans
Yesterday at 7:09 am by Rocky
» Oil sets the twenty-seventh of this month as the date for opening contracts for the fifth complement
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» “Electronic begging”...professionalism and fabrication of stories” generates millions of dinars dail
Yesterday at 7:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani calls on the American company Hanwell to contribute to the completion of the Basra refiner
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» An American company expresses its willingness to establish LED lighting production lines in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:02 am by Rocky
» Including Iraq.. Iran announces the possibility of exporting 300 megawatts of “renewable electricity
Yesterday at 7:01 am by Rocky
» Political forces present two options to find an alternative to Al-Halbousi
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Parliament is awaiting the arrival of the budget schedules and the government is studying higher spe
Yesterday at 6:56 am by Rocky
» The International Monetary Fund adjusts its expectations for the development of the world’s economie
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» A representative talks about the difficulty of finalizing the file of “electing the Speaker of Parli
Yesterday at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Work on preparing a law for diplomatic passports
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» A female representative accuses the Ministry of Immigration of corruption
Yesterday at 6:47 am by Rocky
» Minister: Solving the Kurdistan salaries problem is the beginning of addressing other disputes betwe
Yesterday at 6:45 am by Rocky
» About 270 million dollars were sold by the Central Bank of Iraq in the currency auction
Yesterday at 6:42 am by Rocky
» The volume of trade exchange between Jordan and Iraq will exceed 800 million dinars in 2023
Yesterday at 6:41 am by Rocky
» Iraq signs memorandums of understanding with American companies in the fields of electricity, oil an
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» The American company that manufactures the F16 expresses its readiness to implement the terms of con
Yesterday at 5:30 am by Rocky
» The volume of expected Qatari investments for the Iraq Fund for Development exceeds $3.5 billion
Yesterday at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Decrease in dollar prices in Baghdad and Erbil
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» The President of the Region brings together the Kurdish parties to resolve the election file
Yesterday at 5:26 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives in Washington the Chairman of JPMorgan
Yesterday at 5:25 am by Rocky
» Transport is starting to transform its ports into smart ones
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Sudanese reveals the volume of exchange with America
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» "Al-Eqtisad News" publishes the memorandums of understanding signed between the Iraqi delegation and
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani urges an American company to contribute to establishing a chemical materials factory
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Iraq stresses the importance of Lockheed Martin's commitment to opening military aircraft maintenanc
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Iraq is on the verge of a “water disaster” by 2035
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Great satisfaction and optimism with the results of Sudanese’s visit to Washington
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Transport is beginning to adopt a plan to transform its ports into smart ones
Yesterday at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Completed 8,000 loan transactions at the Housing Bank
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: We plan to invest production capacities for export
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Transformation and partnership...a new horizon in Iraqi-American relations
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» What is new in the economic dimension of the Washington visit?
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Two letters to the future
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» National interests first
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Iraqi-American rapprochement...a national necessity
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington and the course of Iraqi-American relations
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Sudanese carries security, economic and development files to Washington
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky