Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to arrange for an independent study of the effects on human health caused by the use of backscatter x-ray machines at airline checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Directs the TSA Administrator to ensure that large, readable signs or equivalent electronic displays are placed at the front of airline passenger check points where backscatter advanced imaging technology machines are used for screening to inform airline passengers that they may request undergoing alternative screening procedures.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2044 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2044
To require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology in the
Department of Homeland Security to contract with an independent
laboratory to study the health effects of backscatter x-ray machines
used at airline checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security
Administration and provide improved notice to airline passengers.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 31, 2012
Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Brown of Massachusetts, Mr. Akaka, Mr.
Coburn, Mr. Levin, and Mr. Kyl) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology in the
Department of Homeland Security to contract with an independent
laboratory to study the health effects of backscatter x-ray machines
used at airline checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security
Administration and provide improved notice to airline passengers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. STUDY OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF BACKSCATTER X-RAY MACHINES.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Science and Technology in
the Department of Homeland Security shall provide for the conduct of an
independent study of the effects on human health caused by the use of
backscatter x-ray machines at airline checkpoints operated by the
Transportation Security Administration.
(b) Requirements for Study.--
(1) Conduct.--The study required under subsection (a) shall
be--
(A) initiated not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act;
(B) conducted by an independent laboratory selected
by the Under Secretary, in consultation with the
National Science Foundation, from among laboratories
with expertise in the conduct of similar studies; and
(C) to the maximum extent practicable, consistent
with standard evaluations of radiological medical
equipment.
(2) Testing equipment.--In conducting the study, the
laboratory shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) use calibration testing equipment developed by
the laboratory for purposes of study; and
(B) use commercially available calibration testing
equipment as a control.
(3) Elements.--In conducting the study, the laboratory
shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with
recognized protocols for independent scientific testing--
(A) dismantle and evaluate one or more backscatter
x-ray machine used at airline checkpoints operated by
the Transportation Security Administration in order to
determine--
(i) the placement of testing equipment so
that radiation emission readings during the
testing of such machines are as accurate as
possible; and
(ii) how best to measure the dose emitted
per scan;
(B) determine the failure rates and effects of use
of such machines;
(C) include the use of alternative testing methods
in the determination of levels of radiation exposure
(such as an examination of enzyme levels after x-ray
exposure to determine if there is a biological response
to cellular damage caused by such an exposure);
(D) assess the fail-safe mechanisms of such
machines in order to determine the optimal operating
efficacy of such machines;
(E) ensure that any tests performed are replicable;
(F) obtain peer review of any tests performed; and
(G) meet such other requirements as the Under
Secretary shall specify for purposes of the study.
(4) Report.--
(A) Evaluation.--The Under Secretary shall provide
for an independent panel, in consultation with the
National Science Foundation, with expertise in
conducting similar evaluations, to evaluate the data
collected under the study to assess the health risks
posed by backscatter x-ray machines to individuals and
groups of people screened or affected by such machines,
including--
(i) frequent air travelers;
(ii) employees of the Transportation
Security Administration;
(iii) flight crews;
(iv) other individuals who work at an
airport; and
(v) individuals with greater sensitivity to
radiation, such as children, pregnant women,
the elderly, and cancer patients.
(B) Considerations.--In conducting the evaluation
under subparagraph (A), the panel shall--
(i) conduct a literature review of relevant
clinical and academic literature; and
(ii) consider the risk of backscatter x-ray
technology from a public health perspective in
addition to the individual risk to each airline
passenger.
(C) Reports.--
(i) Progress reports.--Not later than 90
days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, and periodically thereafter until the
final report is submitted pursuant to clause
(ii), the Under Secretary shall submit a report
to Congress that contains the preliminary
findings of the study conducted under this
subsection.
(ii) Final report.--Not later than 90 days
after the date on which the panel completes the
evaluation required under this paragraph, the
Under Secretary shall submit a report to
Congress that contains the result of the study
and evaluation conducted under this subsection.
SEC. 2. SIGNAGE REQUIREMENT RELATING TO BACKSCATTER X-RAY MACHINES.
The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
shall ensure that large, easily readable signs or equivalent electronic
displays are placed at the front of airline passenger check point
queues where backscatter advanced imaging technology machines are used
for screening to inform airline passengers, particularly passengers who
may be sensitive to radiation exposure, that they may request to
undergo alternative screening procedures instead of passing through a
backscatter x-ray machine.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S209-210)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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