Posted on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 10:43:51 AM

Amid public concern over radiation from full-body scanners, New York Times columnist Joe Sharkey wonders why the TSA deploys both backscatter technology, which emits ultra-low levels of radiation, and millimeter wave technology, which uses radio waves rather than radiation. Consumer activist Ralph Nader says economics is the reason, and a TSA spokeswoman does not entirely disagree. While any technology must meet detection standards, "TSA competitively bids technologies and makes selections through a comprehensive research, testing and deployment process," she says.

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