CBP launches radiation scanners at border

TORONTO, (Feb. 23, 2004) — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency will begin the installation of radiation portal monitors at the Canadian-U.S. border crossings at Portal, N.D., Pembina, N.D. and International Falls, Minn. in order to better protect the U.S. against biological or nuclear material that may be used in a terrorist attack.

The Radiation Monitoring Program includes such devices to scan U.S.-bound vehicles for any radiological material. CBP is planning to extend the program to all land, sea, and air ports of entry in the near future.

CBP says it ackwoledges such devices may slow border clearance for trucks even further, but maintains it “will make every effort possible to minimize such disruptions.” At locations already using Radiation Portal Monitors, radiation alarms have been checked out and the vehicle has been cleared in the matter of minutes, the agency says.

CBP says drivers from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario should be aware that this technology does not pose any health risks. Unlike the gamma-ray scanners currently being used at border ports to scan trailers and containers for contraband, the RPM’s are not similar to X-rays — meaning they do not transmit energy to form an image, but instead “read” energy from radioactive sources. The detectors do not emit any radiation at all, and have been deemed safe for children and even pregnant women.