Orlando International Airport: Will your security scanners damage my photographic film?
The x-ray machines used to screen carry-on baggage at the passenger checkpoints should not damage film or equipment. However, the x-ray equipment used for screening checked baggage is more powerful and will damage your undeveloped film. You should remove all undeveloped film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage.At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:
- Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
- Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
- Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
- Film that is or will be underexposed
- Film that you intend to “push process”
- Sheet film
- Large format film
- Medical film
- Scientific film
- Motion picture film
- Professional grade film
You may request a hand-inspection of any undeveloped film.
The X-ray machine at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800. However, multiple X-ray inspections (more than 5 times) of the same roll of undeveloped film may cause damage.
The machines used to screen your checked baggage or carry-on baggage will not affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, slides, photo compact discs, or picture discs.
Other Precautions
- If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags, to expedite the screening process.
- If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not honor this request.
- If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an international airport, contact the airport security office at that airport to request a manual inspection.
- Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.
- The TSA recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped film, you can request a hand inspection.
- You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.
Photographic film information obtained from from the TSA Web Site or from Kodak