Across the United States, airports will be introducing full body scan machines to help authorities run more effective scans of airline passengers before boarding flights. This move stems from the Christmas Say attempt bombing on a flight destined to arrive on US soil.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had already ordered the machines prior to the security breach last week. The cost of each machine is said to be upwards of $170,000. The TSA also had plans to install 300 more of the machines by the year 2012.  Right now 19 airports in the United States use 40 full body scanners as part of security protocol.

Critics of the devices claim they are way too invasive for passengers to go through and the TSA claims on their website that the choice to go through these machines are optional. Passengers who refuse to participate in a full body scan are then subjected to other forms of more intensive search, such as being patted down by airport officials.

Airport body scan machines come in two forms. The first uses what is referred to as ‘backscatter technology’ produces an x-ray image of an individual. The other type of scan machine uses millimeter wave technology that results in a photo negative of the individual that is great with detail.

The privacy concerns voiced by passengers were met with the TSA’s promise to blur facial images ad properly delete produced images to keep information confidential.  But many critics still say the full body scanners should not be the only resource for heightening security measures at airports. Many feel that more analysis of the entire situation of security at airports be reviewed before more technology is brought in.

Others who support the full body scan measures believe that situations like the Christmas Day bombing attempt would have never been possible has the alleged terrorist had to undergo a full body screening. While the explosive hidden in the underwear of Umar Farouq AbdulMutallab may not have immediately been identified as an explosive from the scan, it may have signaled that something was amiss and required further investigation.

Concerns about increased wait time at the airport security counters are of concern to many consumers and the privacy issues may also present a problem for some fliers. The TSA continues to strive to meet security issues and in light of the recent bombing scare on US soil, many fliers may likely be willing to undergo the additional security screenings for now, even if the choice is no longer optional.

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