Photo by evawistenConcerns about airport security full body scanners are moving beyond privacy and on to health and safety. Cancer-causing radiation is the main issue off concern, and according to Breaking Travel News a new report rates the risk as extremely low.

The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety which includes the European Commission, International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Energy Agency and the World Health Organization, released a report stating that pregnant women and children should not be scanned. However, it also included that the dose of radiation from the scanners is extremely small.

The body scans emit 0.1 to 5 microsevierts, which is a unit used to measure radiation. This amount can be compared to 3,000 microsieverts, the normal annual background radiation per person. While the benefit to security by using such scanners is high and the amount of radiation low, exposures should be carefully monitored, according to the report.

It’s important to note that there are two kinds of body scanners. One uses high frequency radio waves and the other x-rays. Only the x-ray machine exposes passengers to radiation.

These full body scanners will likely be put into much wider use after a Nigerian man boarded a U.S. plane to Detroit on Christmas Day with explosives in his underwear that went undetected by security. According to a previous report on February 2, 2010 passengers traveling from Heathrow and Manchester airports in the United Kingdom have made full body scans compulsory before boarding flights.

Lori Rice is a freelance health and travel writer, and Galavanting travel news and reviews correspondent. You can follow her adventures at 3 Star Traveler or explore her thoughts as a nutritionist, wellness advocate and foodie traveler at Fake Food Free.

Photo by Guerrilla Futures Jason TesterIf you have a flight scheduled on the east coast this weekend take note. Due to serious winter weather planned to continue throughout the weekend for the eastern United States, airlines are set to waive change fees for affected flights.

The AP reported last night that Delta, United, Continental, US Airways and AirTran are issuing weather waivers. Travelers headed to cities along the east coast can change their flight plans over the next few days free of charge. Each airline, city affected and travel deadline differs though. Here is a list of details for some major carriers.

• Delta flights on Friday and Saturday to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia can rebook for travel as late as Monday.
• United for flights through Sunday to Washington, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia can rebook for travel within the next seven days of scheduled ticket.
• Continental flights through Sunday to Newark, N.J.; Baltimore-Washington in Maryland; Reagan National and Dulles in Virginia; Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia can change plans without penalty.
• US Airways flights through Sunday to Washington, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia can rebook within seven days of scheduled ticket.
• AirTran for flights through Sunday to New York’s LaGuardia; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown and Harrisburg, Pa.; Atlantic City, N.J.; Baltimore-Washington; and Reagan National, Dulles, Newport News and Richmond airports in Virginia can rebook for travel within five days original itinerary.

According to the report, customers on Delta and United scheduled on flights cancelled over the weekend can request a refund. For most airlines the rebooking must keep the same origin and destination to qualify for waived change fees. 

Even if you aren’t traveling to one of these cities all the changes and cancellations are sure to affect airports and flights across the country. You might want to pack some extra patience and a good attitude in your carry-on before heading out this weekend.

Lori Rice is a freelance health and travel writer, and Galavanting travel news and reviews correspondent. You can follow her adventures at 3 Star Traveler or explore her thoughts as a nutritionist, wellness advocate and foodie traveler at Fake Food Free.

photo by EduardoZThe AP reported this morning that good weather today is likely to allow the final evacuation of tourists from Machu Picchu, Peru. The evacuation of 2,542 tourists has occurred since Monday due to heavy rains causing mudslides that have blocked the one land route into and out of the area. Evacuation of the oldest and youngest came first with that accounting for 1,131 visitors. When skies cleared yesterday rescue efforts continued. As of today 800 are still in Pueblo, the closest village to the ruins and a town of only 4,000 people.

The abundance of people stranded has put strains on local food and water supplies as well as lodging. Shop keepers have raised their prices of goods and rooms as ATMs have been emptied leaving many without funds to afford the price-gouging. Some backpackers have taken to sleeping in the central plaza, others have shared beds. Some locals have offered their help by sharing communal pots of food.

After the evacuation is complete, Machu Picchu will remain closed for weeks. The government will need time to repair roadways and railroad tracks leading to the area. These were all washed out by the mudslides making them impassable.  The Inca Trail which leads travelers on a four-day trek to Machu Picchu was closed Tuesday after the mudslides caused the death of two people.

Many people backpack in this popular destination seeking adventure and most would expect to rough it a little on their trip. However, as one stranded tourist put it for many the conditions of this week were “a bit more than we bargained for.”

Lori Rice is a freelance health and travel writer, and Galavanting travel news and reviews correspondent. You can follow her adventures at 3 Star Traveler or explore her thoughts as a nutritionist, wellness advocate and foodie traveler at Fake Food Free.