Are airport metal detectors harmful for pregnant women?

Recently, videos have been going viral showing pregnant women not having to walk through airport metal detectors. Many people in comment sections are wondering whether this is science-backed or just a precaution people are choosing out of fear.

The truth, based on what health experts and scientific sources say, is reassuring, but it helps to unpack the details clearly and simply.

What airport security machines actually do

At airports, there are a few different kinds of security screening machines:Walk-through metal detectors and handheld wands detect metal objects using electromagnetic fields.Full-body scanners (modern ones) use millimeter-wave radio waves to detect objects under clothing.Older backscatter X-ray scanners, which used small amounts of X-rays, have mostly been phased out in many countries.It’s important to understand that not all “radiation” is the same. The kind used by metal detectors and millimeter-wave scanners is non-ionizing, meaning it does not damage DNA or tissues like X-rays do.

Safety of metal detectors and body scanners in pregnancy

Metal Detectors:

Walk-through metal detectors and handheld wands use low-frequency electromagnetic waves that do not involve X-rays.

These fields do not penetrate deeply into the body and are similar to the types of fields produced by everyday items like phones or fridge magnets. Because of this, they are not considered harmful to a developing baby.

Millimeter-Wave Scanners:

The newer full-body scanners used in many airports use millimeter-wave technology, again, non-ionizing radiofrequency waves, which are not the harmful kind of radiation. These are also considered safe for pregnant women by health and security agencies.

Older X-ray Scanners:

In the past, some airports used backscatter X-ray machines for body scanning. These produced very low doses of ionizing radiation, but they have largely been removed from US airports and many others around the world because of privacy concerns and not because they posed a proven danger. Even then, the radiation dose was considered very low.According to doctors and pregnancy health sources, pregnant women do not need to avoid walking through metal detectors because of safety concerns for the baby.

Doctors say these machines do not produce enough energy to harm fetal development. Most airport screening machines use non-ionizing radiation, which has far less potential for harm than X-rays. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typical exposures to non-ionizing radiation are not considered dangerous to you or your unborn baby. Even the older X-ray “backscatter” scanners that were once used do not expose you to enough radiation to pose a health risk to you or your baby.If you still feel uneasy about going through the machines, you can ask for a pat-down instead. And if you need help lifting your bags, removing your shoes, or completing any part of the screening process, just ask a security officer for assistance, they’re there to help.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.