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20 March 2010

Answer to Question #4782 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Security Screening — Airport Screening

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

When at the airport going through the security scanner, does having body piercings make it bleep?

I hadn't thought about that but they certainly could. It depends on how much of a magnetic quality the metal they are made with has. And the size. If they have a strong magnetic quality but are small, they may not cause an alarm (like some stud earrings). If they are a bit larger, a larger hoop for instance, and have the magnetic quality, it might.

And, some metals don't have much of a magnetic quality (like a lot of medical implants these days) so it doesn't matter how big they are.

Although this isn't a very specific answer, some piercings—depending on the type of metal and size—may cause the security scanner to alarm.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist

Answer posted on 15 September 2005. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.