Local 2002: Health and Safety Airport Security Scanners

Local 2002: Health and Safety Airport Security Scanners

June 26, 2007 at 12:00 AM

Iris and Fingerprint Scanners

  

CAW Local 2002 has been researching concerns over the use of the new technology at airports across Canada to deal with access to the restricted area of the terminals. Concerns about the Iris 3000 scanner and the finger print scanner are discussed below.

  

IRIS 3000SCANNER

In the past identity and authentication were based on things one possessed (such as a key, a passport, or identity credential), or something one knew (a password, the answer to a question, or a PIN). This was generally all that was required to confirm identity. However, these conventions could be compromised - as possession of these items by the wrong individual could lead to security breaches.

For that reason Transport Canada has based identity authentication on biometrics – the characteristics of a person that are unique to them. Transport Canada is now using iris scans and fingerprints to confirm personal identity for restricted airport areas.

When this technology was proposed by Transport Canada a number of concerns were expressed and they have attempted to alleviate any perceived problems with the product that CAW members will be forced to use to enter restricted areas of the airport’s environment. A report that was commissioned by the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine states there are no proven problems with this technology. CATSA has provided this study to the CAW:

  • The LG Iris 3000 is non-invasive. Bright lights or lasers are not used in the imaging and iris authentication process. Iris authentication involves no physical contact.
     
  • The US study stated that its purpose was to evaluate the potential health hazards associated with the optical radiation emitted by the LG 3000 Iris Scanner. They concluded the LG 3000 Iris Scanner emits optical radiation that does not exceed the current protection standards set forth in ANSI Z136.1 and ANSI/ESA RP-27.1. Thus, this device poses no hazard to the cornea, lens or retina of the user if operated as intended.

  

The US report was submitted to Health Canada for their opinion and we received this statement from Dr. Yvon Deslauriers who reviewed the report and provided the conclusions below (edited for brevity):

I have reviewed the LG 3000 Iris Scanner U.S. Army report and I can assure you that the study was performed according to acceptable criteria, using recognized instrumentation and methodology. The conclusions of the study are valid and show that the equipment is using infrared optical radiation that is well below the accessible emission limits recommended in the American National Standard Z136.1, limits that are permissible for occupational applications.

As mentioned in our previous correspondence, by meeting the ANSI standard, the LG 3000 also meets the requirements of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part X Hazardous Substances, Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation (Item 10.26), under the Canada Labour Code.

Kindly,

Yvon Deslauriers, Ph.D.
Biophysicist. Chief, Lasers and Electro-Optics Division Consumer & Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau Product Safety Programme, Health Canada

  

Finally, the CAW requested the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) to give an opinion on all this material. They found:

  • The safety report by LG Electronics was found to be accurate. However, OHCOW asked Peter Fuhry of the the Ministry of Labour Radiation Protection Branch to examine the safety report. The way Mr. Fuhry explained the situation is as follows: heat generated by the infrared (IR) radiation causes cataracts on the eyes of workers exposed to too much IR (usually forge workers, or other people staring at glowing metal for extended periods of time). Because the exposure time to the IR with the Iris 3000 scanners is so short the eye has plenty of time to cool down and therefore the IR should not be a problem.
     
  • There is no long term data on the use of the LG Iris 3000 Scanner. While the opinions that have been expressed above seem to alleviate any short and mid-term concerns, there are no studies on the Iris 3000 scanner due to the relative newness of the technology. No one has been able to prove there is no long term damage that could result from the constant use of this equipment.

  

FINGERPRINT SCANNER

  • One comment that I will also include is in relationship to the fingerprint pad that we must also use. I expect your local Health & Safety committees to express to your Company management there is concern about the potential for transmittal of germs and other health issues from unsanitized fingerprint pads. Either there must be some form of keeping it sanitary or an immediate ability to wash or sanitize your hands after use. The best solution would be some form of a Purell dispenser. This will assist in the prevention of the transmittal of the flu bug, any possible pandemic germs, or any other easily transmitted illness.

We are providing this information for your review and to allow you to draw your own conclusions if the constant use of this technology could pose a threat to your health. Remember, the ability to perform the right to refuse is an individual choice, the union cannot perform it for you. Therefore, if you feel the use of this equipment constitutes a “danger” to yourself, you have the ability to protect yourself with this right.

  • Part 2 of the Canada Labour Code defines danger as follows: “danger" means any existing or potential hazard or condition or any current or future activity that could reasonably be expected to cause injury or illness to a person exposed to it before the hazard or condition can be corrected, or the activity altered, whether or not the injury or illness occurs immediately after the exposure to the hazard, condition or activity, and includes any exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to result in a chronic illness, in disease or in damage to the reproductive system.

  

If anyone has any questions about information contained in this bulletin please feel free to contact me or one of your local CAW Health & Safety Representatives.

  

In solidarity,

Ian Bennie,
CAW Local 2002,
National Health and Safety Coordinator

  

This is a summary of the full Health & Safety report on the LG Iris 3000 and fingerprint scanners. A copy of the full report can be obtained on the link below.