All the technological advancements in the 21st century have increased the need for metal detectors. Not only that, but as guns become more and more available to everyone, metal-detectors have even become necessary. Their main purpose is to increase our safety, or the safety of certain individuals. Even though they can sometimes cause inconveniences, sometimes they are simply a must- have.
Security detectors today are able to accurately detect the presence of many modern day weapons (usually firearms or knives and other metal melee weapons). However, the user of the these should also have knowledge of their flaws, so they should be previously be trained how to use them. Door frame detectors don’t do all the work themselves and sometimes the detection of dangerous items depends on the trained operator. Even with that put aside, they greatly increase the chances of discovering hidden weapons. Finding an undesirable item shouldn’t be a problem for these pieces of technology.
Metal detectors have shown some flaws and inefficiencies over time. For example, they are really inefficient if used on purses or briefcases. A large number of objects can be found in purses and similar bags which can trigger false alarms, usually due to some materials located in them or which are a part of them. While most people think that metal detectors are only devices used to only detect harmful metal. People also think that heavier or more massive objects are more likely to trigger the alarm. But the metal detector actually detects any kind of conductive material, which means any material that will conduct an electrical current will be detected by the detector. The metal-detector actively scans for suspicious materials by generating a magnetic field. So, the size and the shape of conductive objects are what these actually look for, and the mass of the object is practically irrelevant.
Security detectors are sometimes a really important part of people’s lives. For example, as schools are often exposed to threats, detectors can at least reduce the risk of students getting lethally hurt. Surveys show us that more than half of the school administrators feel that these systems are at least somewhat useful, and a third of them have said that metal detectors help decrease the violent crimes. Many of the school administrators have also said that they also help with reducing the drug crimes at school. Some studies also show that Students in schools with metal detectors were more likely to report victimization than those in schools without them. Archway detectors act a great role in the detection of dangerous students and weapons in schools.
Metal detectors have also raised some health safety questions. There are a few myths which imply that they are dangerous or radioactive. This is a common misconception, as metal-detectors, even the handheld ones, are no more dangerous than a TV or any other electric home appliance. People usually mistakenly think that the security detectors use x-rays to detect metal, just like the luggage scanners on airports, but this is not true. They only emit a low- frequency electromagnetic field, which is considered safe, even for pregnant women and children. As mentioned above, people are exposed to this electromagnetic every day in their homes. It’s true that some airports use x-ray body scanners instead of (or in combination with) metal detectors, but the arches themselves do not emit x-rays or expose anyone to that kind of radiation. Even heart patients with pacemaker-type devices are not endangered when passing through them.
On the other hand, the companies which actually make or sell metal detectors, usually make their best efforts to ensure that their products are safe for use. They conduct deep and extensive researches to find any indicators of danger that may be caused by these systems. After all, every modern country has safety standards which have to be met for the product to be released for public use.