travel smart: medications can set off airport security alarmtravel smart: medications can set off airport security alarmtravel smart: medications can set off airport security alarm - personal care electronics

A woman traveling from Toronto on a domestic flight to Northern Ontario to visit relatives was shocked to find that the medicine she prescribed triggered an explosion detection scanner at the airport.
Why is this the case with prescription drugs?
Nowadays, airport security technology is very advanced, and even small traces of chemicals that can be used for explosive devices and ammunition are enough to alert.
"We are in Pearson (
International Airport)
Mathieu Larocque, a spokesman for the Canadian air transport safety agency, said: "A person's hand cream contains glycerin, which triggered an explosion detection system . " (CATSA). A by-
Glycerin, a product of the soap manufacturing process, was the main ingredient in the invention of explosives by the famous Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in 1867.
Prior to the woman's northern flight, a prescription drug or combination of these drugs that detonated an explosive sniffing airport scanner at Toronto's Billy Bishop airport may also contain a trace element that can be used to make a bomb
"We can't be specific about which chemicals triggered the explosive detection system," Larocque quoted as saying about safety . ".
"It's not unusual, although it doesn't happen very often," he added . ".
But when it happens, CATSA inspectors will check the person's luggage and items very carefully, which can be drugs, creams or cosmetics, and test them on site, to determine if they are harmless.
Larocque said: "We also see military personnel passing by at some point after handling ammunition or explosives, with tiny marks on their bodies, clothes or bags that we will pick up.
"After contact with the different chemicals used at work, oilfield workers from or returning to Fort McMurray may trigger an explosion detection alert.
"Again, it's not unusual, when it happens, larocque says:" luggage is searched and more tests are done on people and luggage to make sure it's a harmless substance, there is nothing more dangerous than this. " "Usually, these events can be resolved quickly without delaying the traveler. When the alarm rings
The sound of an explosion
Detection screening technology may tax those who have been highlighted by rules, regulations and restrictions on modern travellers, and it should be gratifying to know that it is effective in preventing avoidable lives --
Threat alternatives
Larocque recommends that travelers with medicines need to check with their doctors or pharmacists to determine if they contain elements that may cause an alarm at the airport.
If so, a sensible approach is to reach the pre-
Flight screening so they can check it and do a quick test to confirm that it is not a harmful substance.
If people are not willing to discuss their condition or the medication they need to take in front of other passengers, they can ask for secrecy.
"All of this can be done in a private booth or room away from other passengers," Larocque said . ".
The CATSA website lists items such as medicines, foods, personal care products, and electronic products.
, Allows travelers to carry flights, luggage and carry-on items.
So it's always a good idea to check there before boarding, either to leave the item, or to be shut out and miss the plane.
Of course, if you are found or suspected of transporting illegal items under the Canadian Criminal Code, such as illegal drugs or firearms, or even harmless items such as toys, whether or not you have passed a security checkpoint, could all be mistaken for weapons, ready to face flashing lights, siren sounds, and dramatic actions that might be taken by local police forces.
Transport Canada has a detailed list of prohibited items on its website.
A Toronto-based StarA, who took a domestic flight from Toronto to visit relatives in northern Ontario, was shocked to find that her prescription drugs triggered an explosive detection scanner at the airport.
Why is this the case with prescription drugs?
Nowadays, airport security technology is very advanced, and even small traces of chemicals that can be used for explosive devices and ammunition are enough to alert.
"We are in Pearson (
International Airport)
Mathieu Larocque, a spokesman for the Canadian air transport safety agency, said: "A person's hand cream contains glycerin, which triggered an explosion detection system . " (CATSA). A by-
Glycerin, a product of the soap manufacturing process, was the main ingredient in the invention of explosives by the famous Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in 1867.
Prior to the woman's northern flight, a prescription drug or combination of these drugs that detonated an explosive sniffing airport scanner at Toronto's Billy Bishop airport may also contain a trace element that can be used to make a bomb
"We can't be specific about which chemicals triggered the explosive detection system," Larocque quoted as saying about safety . ".
"It's not unusual, although it doesn't happen very often," he added . ".
But when it happens, CATSA inspectors will check the person's luggage and items very carefully, which can be drugs, creams or cosmetics, and test them on site, to determine if they are harmless.
Larocque said: "We also see military personnel passing by at some point after handling ammunition or explosives, with tiny marks on their bodies, clothes or bags that we will pick up.
"After contact with the different chemicals used at work, oilfield workers from or returning to Fort McMurray may trigger an explosion detection alert.
"Again, it's not unusual, when it happens, larocque says:" luggage is searched and more tests are done on people and luggage to make sure it's a harmless substance, there is nothing more dangerous than this. " "Usually, these events can be resolved quickly without delaying the traveler. When the alarm rings
The sound of an explosion
Detection screening technology may tax those who have been highlighted by rules, regulations and restrictions on modern travellers, and it should be gratifying to know that it is effective in preventing avoidable lives --
Threat alternatives
Larocque recommends that travelers with medicines need to check with their doctors or pharmacists to determine if they contain elements that may cause an alarm at the airport.
If so, a sensible approach is to reach the pre-
Flight screening so they can check it and do a quick test to confirm that it is not a harmful substance.
If people are not willing to discuss their condition or the medication they need to take in front of other passengers, they can ask for secrecy.
"All of this can be done in a private booth or room away from other passengers," Larocque said . ".
The CATSA website lists items such as medicines, foods, personal care products, and electronic products.
, Allows travelers to carry flights, luggage and carry-on items.
So it's always a good idea to check there before boarding, either to leave the item, or to be shut out and miss the plane.
Of course, if you are found or suspected of transporting illegal items under the Canadian Criminal Code, such as illegal drugs or firearms, or even harmless items such as toys, whether or not you have passed a security checkpoint, could all be mistaken for weapons, ready to face flashing lights, siren sounds, and dramatic actions that might be taken by local police forces.
Transport Canada has a detailed list of prohibited items on its website.
A Toronto-based StarA, who took a domestic flight from Toronto to visit relatives in northern Ontario, was shocked to find that her prescription drugs triggered an explosive detection scanner at the airport.
Why is this the case with prescription drugs?
Nowadays, airport security technology is very advanced, and even small traces of chemicals that can be used for explosive devices and ammunition are enough to alert.
"We are in Pearson (
International Airport)
Mathieu Larocque, a spokesman for the Canadian air transport safety agency, said: "A person's hand cream contains glycerin, which triggered an explosion detection system . " (CATSA). A by-
Glycerin, a product of the soap manufacturing process, was the main ingredient in the invention of explosives by the famous Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in 1867.
Prior to the woman's northern flight, a prescription drug or combination of these drugs that detonated an explosive sniffing airport scanner at Toronto's Billy Bishop airport may also contain a trace element that can be used to make a bomb
"We can't be specific about which chemicals triggered the explosive detection system," Larocque quoted as saying about safety . ".
"It's not unusual, although it doesn't happen very often," he added . ".
But when it happens, CATSA inspectors will check the person's luggage and items very carefully, which can be drugs, creams or cosmetics, and test them on site, to determine if they are harmless.
Larocque said: "We also see military personnel passing by at some point after handling ammunition or explosives, with tiny marks on their bodies, clothes or bags that we will pick up.
"After contact with the different chemicals used at work, oilfield workers from or returning to Fort McMurray may trigger an explosion detection alert.
"Again, it's not unusual, when it happens, larocque says:" luggage is searched and more tests are done on people and luggage to make sure it's a harmless substance, there is nothing more dangerous than this. " "Usually, these events can be resolved quickly without delaying the traveler. When the alarm rings
The sound of an explosion
Detection screening technology may tax those who have been highlighted by rules, regulations and restrictions on modern travellers, and it should be gratifying to know that it is effective in preventing avoidable lives --
Threat alternatives
Larocque recommends that travelers with medicines need to check with their doctors or pharmacists to determine if they contain elements that may cause an alarm at the airport.
If so, a sensible approach is to reach the pre-
Flight screening so they can check it and do a quick test to confirm that it is not a harmful substance.
If people are not willing to discuss their condition or the medication they need to take in front of other passengers, they can ask for secrecy.
"All of this can be done in a private booth or room away from other passengers," Larocque said . ".
The CATSA website lists items such as medicines, foods, personal care products, and electronic products.
, Allows travelers to carry flights, luggage and carry-on items.
So it's always a good idea to check there before boarding, either to leave the item, or to be shut out and miss the plane.
Of course, if you are found or suspected of transporting illegal items under the Canadian Criminal Code, such as illegal drugs or firearms, or even harmless items such as toys, whether or not you have passed a security checkpoint, could all be mistaken for weapons, ready to face flashing lights, siren sounds, and dramatic actions that might be taken by local police forces.
Transport Canada has a detailed list of prohibited items on its website.