University study shows radiation from airport scanners extends into organs

A study by the College of Engineering concludes that the radiation dose from full-body backscatter X-ray scanners in airports extends to organs beyond the skin, but is still lower than health standards.

The study is the first nongovernment funded research to estimate the amount of radiation to individual organs. The research was conducted by , an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Marquette, and , a Marquette graduate student.

The study estimates the radiation exposure to 29 organs – including skin, eye lens, heart and the brain – using complex mathematical models that more accurately represent the shape and tissue density of human bodies and organs. By comparison, previous studies funded through the used more simplified, generic mathematical models, according to Marquette.

The Marquette study used four models: a 34-year old male, a 26-year-old female, an 11-year old female and a 6-year-old male. Although radiation is deposited beyond the skin, the study concludes radiation doses in organs for all four models is below recommended standards and considerably lower than radiation levels of other x-ray procedures, such as a mammogram.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2012/06/11/marquette-university-study-shows.html?ana=twt

University study shows radiation from airport scanners extends into organs

University study shows radiation from airport scanners extends into organs

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