Fears of Cancer Causes EU to Ban 'Naked' Airport Scanners

Over fears that the X-ray technology could cause cancer, the European Union has banned the controversial airport scanners that "strip" passengers naked.

According to experts, the body scanners emit low doses of radiation and the EU has told member states not to install them until the risks are assessed.

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The scanners will be completely banned in April if experts rule that they are dangerous.

The scanners were introduced in a security crackdown after incidents such as the attempted "underwear bomb" terror plot in 2009.

They were used at Heathrow but scrapped amid complaints about invasion of privacy, and they have also been tested in Germany, France, Italy, Finland and Holland.

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"Extensive tests by the UK Health Protection Agency and the U.S. health authorities have already confirmed that back scatter body scanners pose a negligible risk to human health," the Daily Mail quoted a spokesperson for the Manchester airport as saying.

"It is irresponsible to suggest that because Europe has yet to complete its own health study, our passengers should be concerned.

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"European legislation issued this week has approved millimetre wave, another form of body scanner technology, for permanent use at airports.

"While its study is underway, an extension of the trial of back scatter body scanners at Manchester Airport has been approved by the European Commission until November 2012.

"Given that all of the relevant authorities support the use of back scatter body scanners, the trial will continue," the spokesperson said.

The EU has ruled that for the time being, only security scanners, which do not use X-ray technology, are approved for use, and the use of any scanner is only allowed if they do not store, retain, copy, print or retrieve images.

Source-ANI