Alison Young Investigates

TSA-CDC "Do Not Board" list failed to stop health threats

A federal "Do Not Board" list failed one-third of the time to stop people from flying who had been deemed serious health threats to other airline passengers, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although the "Do Not Board" list is separate from the terrorism "No Fly" list, its purpose is similar: to keep those who might pose a threat to travelers from flying. So far this year, the health list failed three times to stop high-risk individuals with tuberculosis from taking commercial flights. The incidents occurred in the months before a man who tried to bomb Times Square was able to board a Dubai-bound flight  in May despite being on the "No Fly" list. TSA took action to close a key loophole in the lists after the May incident. Why didn't TSA act earlier? Read the full story in USA TODAY: Loopholes in 'Do Not Board' list let infected travelers fly

TSA failed to identify past problems with X-ray machines

Thousands of passengers undergoing new full-body backscatter X-ray scans at U.S. airports are relying on the Transportation Security Admnistration to ensure the machines only deliver the small radiation dose needed to see through their clothes. But a 2008 report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's workplace safety arm found TSA and its contractors have failed in the past to identify baggage X-ray machines that were emitting more radiation than regulations allow. The TSA says all its X-ray machines -- for people and luggage -- have passed recent inspections. But so far the TSA hasn't released any of the reports, despite USA TODAY's repeated requests since last month. Read the full stories: Lawmakers call on TSA to release X-ray inspection records  and  TSA workers, experts worry about X-ray malfunctions