PBase

Does any one know if X-ray scans in aeroports are hazardous for 100/200 ISO films?

from http://www.faa.gov/apa/pr/pr.cfm?id=1184


Don't pack unprocessed film in bags you plan to check. New
explosives detection systems used to screen checked baggage
might damage your film. Instead, pack your film in a carry-on bag
or bring it with you on board the plane. X-ray equipment used at
the security checkpoints to screen carry-on bags will not damage
film below 1000ASA.

If you are going out of the country (third world especially) then use the protection bags (these machines can be poorly maintained).

Here was a test done in 1994 on the carry on machines.
http://underwaterphotos.com/Filmsafe.htm

Do not leave a half exposed film in the camera, Airport security can and sometimes do make you open the camera.

Generally the security check devices for carry-on luggage won't impact film or digital cameras. (Except as usually noted at the check points in the US, higher iso films may be impacted.) I'd be a little more hesitant to think that nothing in the process could damage magnetic media, but we don't get reports of that and when you consider the massive numbers of computers with various kinds of magnetic and other media, "walk-man" type devices, etc., and all the people flying all the time, it just doesn't seem to be a problem.

However, baggage that is checked can easily be exposed to more powerful x-ray surveillance.

As to the lead baggies? There is something disconnected about the logic that you can "protect" the film with them. An unidentifiable blob should result in further investigation, not simply passing it on to the aircraft passenger. That should get you a "hand-check" but might just get it opened and passed through again.

But as a general scenario, 100/200 iso film isn't impacted.