Commissioners vote on airport scanners

FORT LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD INT'L AIRPORT, Fla. (WSVN) -- Broward County commissioners made a decision on whether or not to continue allowing the use of security scanners at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

On Tuesday, the Broward County Commission voted 5-4 to ask TSA to take a closer look at the body scanners, which have been banned in some European airports.

The scanners reportedly emit low doses of radiation, which can be potentially harmful to frequent flyers.

However, not everyone on the commission felt that further study was needed. "We get a lot more radiation exposure from the cell phones we hold to our ears every single day, from sitting in front of our desks doing just everyday tasks, then we would with going through TSA scanners," said Broward Commissioner Barbara Sharief.

"Forty-one years ago, I had X-rays without a protective vest while pregnant with a child, and nobody knew there was a risk. I can tell you, I used to take Sacrin till they pulled it from the market because they found out it caused cancer," said Commissioner Ilene Lieberman. "You want to have faith in the government, FDA approved all this stuff."

Airport passengers have the option of undergoing a TSA pat down instead of going through the body scanner.

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