wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Advanced scanning technology arrives at Columbia Metro

Advanced scanning technology arrives at Columbia Metro

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WEST COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -  A new wave of technology is coming to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. New imaging machines will be used in the screening process starting next week.

Passengers will be selected at random to stand with their hands raised above their heads inside the machine while it scans their body.

"This particular type of technology is what we call millimeter wave," said TSA spokesperson Jon Allen. "It involves the use of electronic magnetic waves that bounce off the body to determine if someone may have something metallic or non metallic concealed underneath their clothing."

In the past, some body-scanning machines created an image that was specific to a person's body.  But that isn't the case with the new scanner. The only thing the TSA screener sees is a generic outline which then highlights any area that might need additional screening.

And if you're worried about harmful rays being transmitted through your body, the TSA says that's simply a myth.

"The amount of energy that is involved is one ten thousandth," said Allen. "So one and ten thousandth that which is permitted for a cell phone transmission."

Advanced imaging technology machines are already in a number of big cities and now the goal is to distribute them everywhere.

"Once you come through the security checkpoint here and board an airplane whether you are going Washington, D.C. or New York or Atlanta, you are going to able to connect there and be able to get on a plane to go anywhere in the world so security is important whether airports are large or small," said Allen.  

Passengers we spoke with were pleased about the increased security measure.

"[I've] been through several airports that use them and I actually find that's pretty quick to go through so I don't find that's inconvenient at all," said Sharon Solomon.

Marion Davis said "The way I look at it it's for our safety our security."

The next airport slated to receive advanced imaging technology is the Savannah Hilton Head International airport.

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