TSA to study health risks of X-ray body scanners

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will study the effects of its controversial X-ray body scanners on airline passengers, the agency said Tuesday.

TSA has long been under fire from lawmakers and libertarian groups who argue that its X-ray machines invade the privacy of airline passengers. Some critics have also argued that the body scanners expose passengers to harmful levels of radiation, though the agency has steadfastly defended the safety of the X-ray machines.

A spokeswoman for TSA said in a statement the study was the fulfillment of a promise from the agency chief, John Pistole.

"Administrator Pistole has made a commitment to conduct the study and TSA is following through on that commitment," TSA spokeswoman Lisa Faberstein said in response to an inquiry from The Hill on Tuesday.

The website ProPublica.org has conducted an investigation into TSA's claims about the safety of its body scanners, arguing that the agency has attempt to cover up possible cancers risk from exposure to even the small dose of the radiation that is emitted by the machines.

The website first reported TSA's pledge to review the safety of its X-ray machines. 

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