So why would that be?
TSA Georgia official Dan Velez emailed The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that excessive sweating can theoretically result in small imaging abnormalities, necessitating further screening, including a pat-down, to address any alerts.
There is a chance that the scanning devices will become confused when extremely perspiring passengers pass through airport security. However, the chances aren’t that high. In order to identify metallic and nonmetallic things hidden on the body, Advanced Imaging Technology scanners use millimeter wave technology, he added.
Since these scanners are made to distinguish between ordinary substances like sweat and possible hazards, sweat as a liquid usually poses little problem. Wet clothes, on the other hand, may stick to the body and obscure scans, necessitating a pat-down to make sure nothing is concealed.
It’s a sticky situation. However, when it comes to perspiration, there isn’t much cause for concern regarding airport security procedures.
According to Velez, TSA officials performing behavioral observation may detect someone acting strangely and perspiring a much. They don’t specifically seek out perspiring individuals.
Maybe concentrate on preventing perspiration on your hands. Sweat has the potential to combine with the trace chemicals on your hands and interfere with several tests.
According to Velez, TSA agents may swab a passenger’s hands or personal items in order to discover explosive traces. Since these systems are designed to detect certain chemical residues linked to explosives rather than normal bodily wetness, sweat alone is unlikely to affect ETD results. Sweat may complicate the analysis and result in a false positive that necessitates additional examination, though, if it is combined with other compounds on the skin or clothing (such as lotions or chemicals).
However, Velez advises anyone who is aware that they perspire a lot to let the person in charge of their security check know beforehand. Additionally, they might want to bring a towel or some wipes so they can dry off before screening.
