Puffer Machine

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A Puffer Machine, technically known as an "explosives trace-detection portal machine", is a security device that seeks to detect explosives at airports and other sensitive facilities. The machine operates by releasing multiple puffs of air at a passenger who is standing upright within the machine. The machines are intended as a secondary screening device, used as a complement to, rather an a substitute for, traditional X-ray machines.

The passenger feels cool air blasts, which are not painful or otherwise damaging. The purpose of the series of air blasts is to release microscopic particles into the air, such as gunpowder or residue from bomb-making materials, which would then be detected by the machine. If such particles are suspected, the passenger may be detained for further screening. The entire process takes approximately 15-30 seconds.

Puffer Machines were originally developed by Sandia National Laboratories in 1997. According to an article in the 3 September, 2006, New York Times, they are now manufactured by General Electric and Smiths Detection [1] (based in London) at a cost of about $160,000 each. Prototypes have been under improvement since 2001 at the Science and Technology division of the Homeland Security Department of the United States. Delays in testing at the Homeland Security Department laboratory and questions about reliability have hindered their deployment. Early models were loud and slow, and required a lot of power. Durability has also been a concern. Puffers are currently the only airport screening devices that automatically examine passengers for explosives.[2]

About 95 machines have now been installed in 34 airports. 350 machines are supposed to be in place at 81 U.S. airports by the end of 2006. Among those airports where they are in place are:

While many people have complained that passing through the Puffer is an uncomfortable experience, the technology is virtually foolproof in preventing false-negatives.

As well as having been implemented in US airports, there are also Puffer machines at the Statue of Liberty[[3]], just before visitors enter the statue itself. This is one example of the many increased security measures taken for popular New York landmarks post September 11th 2001.

On September 3 2006, the Transportation Security Administration announced that it is suspending installation of the Puffer after "seeing some issues that [it] did not anticipate with the devices."

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