Is it safe to put the Fuji 1700 with the Smart media card thru the X-ray machine at the security checkpoints at airports ?

Thank

-- Poh Hwa CHNG (phchng@pacific.net.sg), November 29, 1999

Answers

I don't have a scientific answer for you, but here is a consideration. Would you allow your Laptop computer to go thru the x-ray machine? Probably not, since you are dealing with magnetic media.

I figure if you spent over $400 for an electronic device, you should have the security people search that bag manually.

-- David Erskine (davide@netquest.com), November 30, 1999.

There is no problem with putting your digital camera or the solid state storage media through the X-ray machine. CF cards, Smart media cards, Memory sticks, etc. are all solid state media. As David suggests, putting magnetic media, such as floppys used by Mavica's, can be another matter.

X-rays can destroy magnetic media, but it typically takes much, much higher dose rates than that of fluoroscopic units like those used at airports. I used to worry about running my laptop through the X-ray equipment. I gave up that fear long ago. Hand checking is a hassle, and simply is not worth the time. I have never suffered any problems from X-raying magnetic media.

I repair X-ray equipment for the hospital I work for. I have intentionaly exposed magnetic media to significant levels of X-rays with no data loss. It requires more dose to damage media than you will ever encounter in an airport.

-- Steve (milwaukeechrome@aol.com), November 30, 1999.