Lambert Airport adds new X-ray scanners

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis' Lambert Airport is deploying new full-body imaging machines designed to scan passengers for nonmetal weapons, explosives or other items not picked out by metal detectors.

The first passengers are to be examined by the new system today in one of the terminals. Passengers who decline that kind of screening will be subject to a pat-down.

Critics of the imaging systems argue that they invades privacy. But the Transportation Safety Administration says any images taken by the device are discarded when it is used on the next passenger.

The TSA was to demonstrate the equipment at Lambert on Thursday.

There are 259 of the units in place at 58 U.S. airports, with TSA planning to deploy 450 more by the end of this year.