X-rays.

A form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation.

X-ray radiation can fog (expose) undeveloped photosensitive material. While this allows medical X-ray photography to work it also poses a problem for ordinary photographers when it comes to security scanners in airports. Generally speaking, undeveloped film appears to survive standard hand baggage X-rays reasonably well. However, exposure to X-ray radiation is cumulative - the more times through the machine the greater the risk of fogging. Also, this is hand baggage scanning - checked-in baggage is scanned with higher-power equipment that’s far more likely to ruin unprocessed film. Note also that high-speed film is more vulnerable to the effects of X-ray fogging than slower speed film.

Finally, recent heightened security at airports has brought newer higher-powered scanners, many of which are fairly likely to cause permanent damage to film.

cf. electromagnetic radiation, fog, photosensitive.

Entry last updated 2002-05-09. Term 1319 of 1487.

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