Is Airport security body scanners safe during pregnancy?
U.S. airport body scanners use non-ionizing millimeter waves. MotherToBaby says pregnant and breastfeeding travelers can use them.
What the sources say
MotherToBaby says U.S. airport body scanners use non-ionizing millimeter-wave technology and that pregnant and breastfeeding women can go through them. CDC notes walk-through metal detectors are not harmful to the fetus and most experts consider radiation risk from scanners extremely low. CDC also says airport x-ray screening has no effect on breastfeeding, expressed milk, or lactation; you can ask TSA not to x-ray your milk.
Also listed as
advanced imaging technology, airport body scanner, airport scanner, airport x-ray, full body scanner, metal detector, millimeter wave scanner, tsa scanner
Sources
- MotherToBaby: X-rays
- CDC: Pregnant Travelers (Yellow Book)
- CDC: Travel and Breastfeeding (Yellow Book)
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.