"Airport Security and the Agony of Da Feet"

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Airport Security Checks Pose Health Hazard
KXAS-TV Ch 5 (NBC), Dallas/Fort Worth (TX)
 

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Anyone who has traveled by airplane in the past few
years has likely had to remove their shoes at the security checkpoint. But
not every passenger is wearing socks or pantyhose and those who are barefoot
are facing a health hazard, NBC 5 reports.

A doctor NBC 5's Brian Curtis spoke with didn't mince words when it came to
germs and dirt on the floor of highly trafficked security checkpoints.

"It's disgusting," said podiatrist Dana Giacalone.

Giacalone feels that way because dirt isn't the only thing on the floor.

"We are talking about warts, plantar's warts. We're talking about athlete's
foot. We're talking about nail fungus," said Giacalone.

At Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, travelers can request a pair of
disposable foot covers. But Curtis reports that while covering this story,
he didn't notice any traveler taking advantage of them.

Experts advise the solution to putting yourself at risk is simple: Just
bring something that covers your feet.

"You won't pick up anything as long as you have something covering your
feet," said Giacalone.

Airport security also suggests that any traveler who does not wish to use
the disposable foot cover to carry a pair of ankle socks that they can slip
on while moving through security.

Click or paste the link to view the video:

Video: Airport Security Checks Pose Health Hazard
 http://www.nbc5i.com/video/10421427/index.html

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