Support and Contact Center

My film went through the x-ray surveillance at the airport. Is it ruined?

Question:
My film went through the x-ray surveillance at the airport. Is it ruined?

Answer:
The carry-on baggage scanners at most U.S. airports are fairly safe for film, but if you are passing through many airports or are carrying faster speed film (800 and above) you may want to have your film hand inspected. Airport systems in foreign countries often have higher doses of x-ray so additional care should be taken.

Checked baggage scanners, on the other hand, are more powerful and will cause some amount of damage to all film. We recommend that no film be packed in checked baggage.

For more information from the International Imaging Industry Association, you may wish to view reports of their independent testing:

The CTX- 5000SP and Camera Films (Effects of Checked Baggage Scanners on Film)

Study Of Damage To Photographic Films X-rayed by the Rapidscan Security Checkpoint Scanner (Effects of Carry-on Baggage Scanners on Film)