This photo shows passengers pass through a X-ray screening machine at the Shuangliu International Airport in Sichuan Province. (Photo/Southern Metropolis Daily)
(ECNS) -- Shuangliu International Airport near the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, is facing questions over its use of X-ray screening machines without posting warnings at prominent locations over the potential danger of radiation, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
The airport uses a novel safety check system where up to three passengers can stand on a moving walkway to finish the security check process, much quicker than more commonly used techniques.
But no signs warning of possible radiation are visible. A general notice only says the elderly, young, sick and pregnant passengers are advised to undergo manual safety checks in case of falling.
A woman from the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou said she is angry about the airport's neglect of people's right to know since the system might be harmful to pregnant women and their developing babies.
Ma Jianhua, a professor at the biomedical engineering school of Southern Medical University, said he was prevented from taking a good look at the image on the screen at the airport.
He said the system, although widely used in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks, does not appear to have been registered with China's National Institute of Metrology, and was possibly in the stage of testing.
Ma added that he saw no radiation warning signs near the airport equipment.
Anhui Qilootech Photoelectric Technology, manufacturer of the system, told the newspaper that the equipment was the result of joint efforts by scientists at China's leading research institutes and experts from the Ministry of Public Security.
The company added that the minute dose of X-rays from the system is lower than China's national standard or the stricter standard in the United States.
Exposure to radiation during each check is equivalent to remaining for three minutes in a plane at an high-altitude, said airport staff, quoting the manufacturer.
Staff added that pregnant passengers could apply to pass through a manual safety check passage if they have concerns.
But Ma said despite low radiation the airport still needs to let the public know about potential harm stemming from the equipment.
