[filmscanners] Re: X rays was Digital PIC

["Arthur Entlich" <artistic-1@shaw.ca>]

I have taken the liberty of quoting some of the extensive information on
the Kodak web site regarding X-Rays and what can be done during travel,
and a new threat called "serialization" equipment being used by some US
postal Services, which can apparently not only damage film, but also
digital cameras, CCDs, CD-Rs etc.  (Gee, great news, eh?)

I've edited this down from a number of web pages, and so it isn't
exactly as it appears on the Kodak site, but the text is Copyright of
Kodak.  The web site www.kodak.com (and use the search engine: X-Ray
Damage) has photo examples of different types of X-ray and other damage.
  Some of those check-in baggage machines really do in film in as little
as one scan.  As an example the "Examiner 3DX 6000" unit almost
completely whites out a 400 ASA/ISO film in one pass.

I hope no one flips because this is somewhat off topic.

Art


  If you're going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations
(more than 5 times), request a hand search of your carry-on baggage. FAA
regulations in the U.S. allow for a hand search of photographic film and
equipment if requested. (See Note below for further FAA information.)
However, non-US airports may not honor this request.

* If you're asked to step aside for a more thorough search of your
carry-on baggage, you should be advised that film could be harmed and
you should take it out of your luggage.

Incidentally, the FAA provides air travelers in the United States the
right to request a non-X-ray inspection of photo-sensitive products in
FAA Reg 108.17 (PART 108-AIRPLANE OPERATOR SECURITY):

"(e) No certificate holder may use an X-ray system to inspect carry-on
or checked articles unless a sign is posted in a conspicuous place at
the screening station and on the X-ray system which notifies passengers
that such items are being inspected by an X-ray and advises them to
remove all X-ray, scientific, and high-speed film from carry-on and
checked articles before inspection. This sign shall also advise
passengers that they may request that an inspection be made of their
photographic equipment and film packages without exposure to an X-ray
system. If the X-ray system exposes any carry-on or checked articles to
more than 1 milliroentgen during the inspection, the certificate holder
shall post a sign which advises passengers to remove film of all kinds
from their articles before inspection. If requested by passengers, their
photographic equipment and film packages shall be inspected without
exposure to an X-ray system."

HAND-CARRIED BAGGAGE

Carry-on baggage inspection conveyors using low intensity x-rays, used
at security checkpoints in US airports, usually do not affect film.
However, these machines may now be supplemented in some cases by high
intensity machines that will fog all unprocessed film. Travelers should
be wary of all scanners at foreign airports.

Travelers should politely insist on hand-inspection of their film. Carry
a changing bag for use by the inspector. Demonstrate how it is used,
with a can of fogged film as an example. However, there is no guarantee
that your request will be granted by local inspectors, who may insist on
x-ray inspection. Hand inspection may not be permitted in some airports
outside the US.

X rays from airport scanners don't affect digital camera images or film
that has already been processed, i.e. film from which you have received
prints, slides, KODAK PHOTO CD Discs, or KODAK PICTURE CD Discs.



  US MAIL STERILIZATION

The United States Postal Service is installing new equipment to
sterilize items sent through the mail. For security reasons, they are
not disclosing whether this process will be limited to letters, or if
parcels and other packages will also be included.

Until further tests are conducted, it would be wise to assume that the
high energy beams used in the sterilization equipment will fog or damage
all film - processed or unprocessed, exposed or unexposed, negative or
print. In addition, photographic prints, slides, DVDs, picture CDs,
CD-ROMs, video tapes and even the CCD sensors in video cameras and other
products may be affected. Because those materials often contain valuable
- and sometimes, irreplaceable, images - Kodak recommends that you err
on the side of caution until more information is available.

All imaging materials should be sent via a courier or an express air
shipping company that does not use the US postal system. Local
laboratories may have additional information and/or offer alternative
shipping arrangements.





David Hoffman wrote:

> At 5:01 -0800 1/4/02, Arthur Entlich wrote:
>
>>X-Ray damage is cumulative, so while one or
>>two times may not be visible, 3, 4 or more might well be
>>
>
> True. But tests in the UK have repeatedly failed to show any X-ray
> damage even on multiple (I think 16 was the max) passes with MODERN
> European machines. Maybe someone recalls the details? The Association
> of Photographers & British Journal of Photography were involved & the
> tests pretty thorough.
>
> My own experience (not shooting delicate tonal work, just reportage)
> has been of no problems with modern machines (& successful evasion of
> South American film friers).
>
> David Hoffman


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