Full body scanners come to San Jose airport

Mineta San Jose Airport is the latest U.S. airport to install the controversial and expensive full body scanners. The Transportation Security Administration has placed four scanners at Terminal A and plans to unveil four more at Terminal B by the end of this month.

Since the September 11th attacks, the U.S. government has requested that the TSA install the advanced imaging systems in airports throughout the country. But many groups have come out blasting the TSA for installing machines that they believe are both intrusive and unhealthy. They say the scanners can see through traveler's clothing and give off high levels of radiation.

However the TSA denies both claims, with TSA Federal Security Director Kathleen Roscher telling ABC News, "The machine cannot store this image and can't transmit it anywhere, and can't print it. The machine does not in any way have any storage capacity." Roscher added, "The exposure in this type of equipment is equivalent to a passenger traveling in an aircraft for two minutes at altitude, so it has passed all national health and safety standards."

Currently it is not mandatory for any traveler to use the full body scanners. Customers may opt out for an alternative screening via a TSA patdown. Will you use the full body scanner when flying in the United States? Share your comments with us on this hot button travel topic.