Vic: Hand cream/aftershave triggers explosive detector

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2003
Vic: Hand cream/aftershave triggers explosive detector

MELBOURNE, Dec 30 AAP - Airline passengers who use hand cream or aftershave are testing
positive to explosives by an anti-terrorist security device at Melbourne Airport.

Qantas today confirmed the Explosive Trace Detective System (ETDS), which is aimed
at stopping explosives being carried onto planes, had detected a "very small" number of
innocent passengers since it was put in place in October.

"Qantas, like other screening point operators in Australia, uses explosive trace detection
equipment as required by the federal government," an airline spokeswoman said.

"It is simply another device in our comprehensive system of screening passengers and
their luggage.

"Like metal detectors, ETDS is designed to alert the relevant authorities to the possibility
that someone may be carrying a prohibited item.

"In the case of ETDS particles contained in substances such as hand cream, fertiliser,
aftershave and dry cleaning fluid resemble the concentration and composition of those
contained in certain types of explosives."

The spokeswoman refused to reveal the exact number of passengers affected.

But she said the airline was working with the manufacturer of the device to help reduce
the number of false positives.

Passengers are selected at random for testing after they pass through the x-ray security check.

A hand-held device is then used to swab a passenger's open palms, clothing, shoes and luggage.

Results take less than a minute to process, the Qantas spokeswoman said.

AAP kh/gfr/cbs/de

KEYWORD: QANTAS

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