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Security, ID Rules and Radiation Exposure!
Know How to Mitigate Flying Risks

Disclaimer: the information presented here is for educational purposes only, and should not be taken as medical or legal advice.

Air travel is a routine part of modern life, particularly during peak travel seasons. Along with convenience and mobility, travelers often have questions about safety, privacy, and health, especially related to airport security procedures and radiation exposure. This guide provides a clear, evidence based overview of identification requirements, security screening options, and radiation exposure during air travel, along with practical steps travelers can take to make informed choices.

Airport Security Screening: Airport security includes several steps, some of which allow for traveler choice. Understanding these options can help individuals navigate screening procedures with greater clarity and confidence.

Identity Verification at TSA Checkpoints: At most airports, the Transportation Security Administration uses an optional photo based identity verification system. Travelers may decline participation but must say they would like to before presenting identification to the agent. Opting out results in a traditional visual ID check. TSA states [[link removed]] that facial images collected during routine screening are not stored for travelers who are not enrolled in biometric programs. According to TSA, images are deleted shortly after identity verification under normal operating conditions. Oversight reports note that retention policies may vary during testing or pilot programs [[link removed]] .

Real ID and Travel Documentation: Beginning May 7, 2025, travelers must present a Real ID compliant [[link removed]] driver’s license or another federally accepted form of identification to board domestic flights. Real ID establishes minimum federal security standards for state issued identification, including identity verification and document authentication at the time the ID is issued. Travelers who prefer not to obtain a Real ID may use a valid passport for air travel. Programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry also rely on federal identity verification systems and include background checks and ongoing data sharing in exchange for expedited screening.

Full Body Scanners and Manual Screening: Most travelers pass through millimeter wave scanners or low dose X ray scanners. These systems emit small amounts of ionizing radiation. Travelers may request a manual pat down instead, which avoids radiation exposure entirely but may involve additional time and physical contact. The radiation dose from airport scanners is low and roughly equivalent to a few minutes of natural background radiation [[link removed]] .

Radiation Exposure During Flight: The most significant radiation exposure [[link removed]] associated with air travel occurs during flight rather than at airport security checkpoints. At cruising altitude, the atmosphere provides less shielding from cosmic radiation, increasing exposure levels. A typical cross country flight, such as Los Angeles to New York, exposes an adult to approximately 40 microsieverts of radiation [[link removed]] . Using the International Commission on Radiological Protection reference level of 1,000 microsieverts per year for the general public, it would take approximately 25 cross country flights at about 40 microsieverts each to reach that level. Radiation exposure varies by flight duration, altitude, latitude, and route. Polar routes and periods of elevated solar activity can increase exposure slightly, though airlines and aviation authorities monitor these conditions. Radiation exposure is cumulative over a lifetime. Children and developing fetuses are more sensitive than adults. For pilots, flight attendants, and very frequent flyers, cumulative exposure may warrant tracking and professional consultation.

In Flight Wi Fi and Radiofrequency Exposure: Most commercial aircraft provide onboard Wi-Fi, and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are generated during flight by a combination of the aircraft’s Wi-Fi system, satellite or ground-based communication links, and passengers’ phones, tablets, laptops, and Bluetooth-enabled devices operating simultaneously within a confined space. This exposure involves non-ionizing radiation, which differs from the ionizing radiation associated with cosmic rays and X-ray scanners. Existing exposure guidelines for radiofrequency radiation are primarily based on short-term thermal effects, and there is limited data on the long-term biological effects of chronic, cumulative exposure, particularly in occupational or high-frequency travel settings.

Practical Considerations for Travelers

* Below is a consolidated summary of options travelers may consider to reduce cumulative exposure and better manage privacy and recovery during air travel.
* Support overall resilience by prioritizing sleep, managing jet lag, staying well hydrated, consuming adequate protein, and maintaining balanced nutrition before, during, and after travel
* Opt out of TSA photo based identity verification by requesting a traditional ID check before presenting identification
* Use a valid passport for domestic travel in place of a Real ID if preferred
* Choose manual screening instead of full body scanners
* Limit unnecessary long haul flights and select routes with fewer connections to reduce total time at high altitude
* Be aware that polar routes and periods of elevated solar activity may increase radiation exposure
* Undergo medical imaging only when clinically necessary and discuss risks and benefits with a healthcare provider

This information can be found on the AVFCA website: [link removed] [[link removed]]

If you found this information helpful and appreciate the work A Voice for Choice Advocacy is doing, please support us by making a donation today.

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Together we can make change happen!

C
Christina Hildebrand
President/Founder
A Voice for Choice Advocacy, Inc.
[email protected] [[email protected]]
www.AVoiceForChoiceAdvocacy.org [[link removed]]
www.avoiceforchoiceadvocacy.org [www.avoiceforchoiceadvocacy.org]
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