Is it safe for a pregnant woman to pass through a metal detector or whole body scanner at an airport?

From the Guidelines

Yes, it is safe to go through metal detectors and whole body scanners at airports while pregnant. According to a recent study published in Nature Reviews Cardiology in 2022 1, metal detectors and full-body imaging scanners do not pose a risk of interference with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), and by extension, are unlikely to harm a developing fetus. The study provides guidance on travel-related sources of electromagnetic interference, and metal detectors and full-body imaging scanners are listed as having no risk of interference.

When going through security checkpoints, pregnant women can follow the same guidelines as patients with CIEDs, which include walking through metal detector gates at a normal pace and not lingering, and not lingering when using full-body imaging scanners 1. It's also worth noting that the radiation exposure from these devices is minimal and well below safety thresholds established for pregnancy.

Some key points to consider when going through airport security while pregnant include:

• Metal detectors create a magnetic field that interacts with metal objects but does not penetrate the body in a harmful way
• Whole body scanners use radio frequency waves that bounce off the body's surface rather than penetrating deeply into tissues
• If you still have concerns, you can request a pat-down screening as an alternative, which is your right at any airport
• Medical experts, including obstetricians and radiation safety specialists, consistently confirm that these screening technologies pose no risk to pregnant women or their babies at any stage of pregnancy.

From the Research

Safety of Metal Detectors and Whole Body Scanners for Pregnant Women

• The studies provided do not directly address the safety of metal detectors or whole body scanners for pregnant women 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• However, they do discuss the risks associated with radiation exposure during pregnancy, which may be relevant to the use of whole body scanners that use X-ray technology.
• According to the studies, the risks associated with radiation exposure during pregnancy are generally considered to be low, especially for doses below 10 mGy 4, 5.
• The studies also note that the benefits of diagnostic imaging during pregnancy often outweigh the risks, and that the use of alternative imaging modalities such as ultrasound and MRI may be preferred when possible 3, 6.

Radiation Exposure from Metal Detectors and Whole Body Scanners

• Metal detectors typically use non-ionizing radiation, such as magnetic fields or radio waves, and are not considered to pose a significant risk to pregnant women.
• Whole body scanners, on the other hand, may use X-ray technology, which does involve ionizing radiation.
• However, the dose of radiation from a whole body scanner is typically very low, and is often comparable to or less than the dose from a chest X-ray 5.

Precautions for Pregnant Women

• Despite the low risks, pregnant women may still wish to take precautions when passing through metal detectors or whole body scanners.
• This may include informing security personnel or medical staff of their pregnancy, and asking about the type of technology used in the scanner.
• Additionally, pregnant women may wish to consider alternative screening methods, such as a pat-down or manual search, if available 6.