Are full body scanners in airports safe?

[cardamomginger]

Am 6 weeks pregnant and will be flying to see husband's family at 14 weeks. Does anyone know whether these new full body scanners in airports are safe for pregnant women? If anyone has any links to medical articles/medical sites that'd be great. Thanks!

www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/security/aviation/airport/bodyscanners/bodyscanner/

I totally don't know how to do links

Thanks - I cut and paste it and it's fine!

When i was pregnant, I didn't let them put me through the full body scanner and they didn't make me.

Yes, they are safe when pregnant

You should be able to avoid using the scanners. They are meant to be safe, but if you're uncomfortable about using them, you can tell the security and they body search you instead. At least in my experience.

In Germany, I've always been stopped from going through the usual security check - they seem to take it as given that pregnant women don't need to go through the machines.

Thanks for the info Guys! We are not flying through Heathrow, where the scanners now seem to be mandatory (??), but are flying via Schiphol, Amsterdam. Given that this was the location of the latest terrorist cock-up, I was thinking that they might be pretty insistent on scanning everyone. Just checked their website and they use a different system of "harmless millimeter waves that bounce off the body" whatever the hell they are.... We shall see!

In the UK if they pick you to go through, it is mandatory and you cannot opt for a pat down (as you can in the US).

www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/26/new-body-scanners-heathrow

but they are not making everyone go through them...

www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1196169&SMap=1

To cardamomginger

Just wondered how you got on at Schiphol. I am due to fly from there next week when I'll be 11 weeks pg and not yet showing. Can I ask not to be scanned do you know?

I work at an international airport and am 31 weeks, even though preggers I have to go through them everytime I go airside which can sometimes be 12+ times a day. Not had any problems (that im aware of anyway).

Hope your flight goes well

Sorry I meant to say X-rays not scanners, although if I had to go through the scanners I wouldnt be given a choice sadly.