A Turkish research and development company has come up with a way to prevent radiation caused by airport x-ray scanners from spreading to the environment. How? By using cannabis!
TechnoArge developed an x-ray scanner that uses a cannabis-based composite.
Muzaffer Gökçimen, TechnoArge general manager, explained that cannabis as a composite material blocks radiation emissions. More specifically, the industrial cannabis fiber used in the making of composites absorbs radiation.
Gökçimen added that the airport scanner with the cannabis-based composite also disinfects luggage during the scanning process.
He said that their x-ray scanner was patented in 144 countries.
Why, what’s wrong with the standard x-ray scanner?
According to the British Institute of Radiology, the standard x-ray baggage scanners that airports are using these days emit a very low-dose radiation.
Just low-dose radiation, but radiation nevertheless.
Cannabis-based composite for bullet-proof vest and automotive supplies, too
TechnoArge, which is headquartered in the Avcilar district in Istanbul, is also working to develop a bullet-proof vest using cannabis composite.
Gökçimen said that these vests are lighter and are 20 times more durable compared to standard bullet-proof vests. What’s more, these cannabis-based bests are cheaper.
Aside from vests, the company is also developing automotive supplies using cannabis composites. They are targeting to manufacture these automotive products in a year.
Cannabis cultivation in Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced recently that 19 cities in the country had been authorized to cultivate low-THC cannabis mainly for industrial purposes. More are expected to get permits in the future.
Cannabis is used as raw material for textile, cosmetics, automotive, biodiesel, construction, food, and paper products. However, the cultivation of cannabis plants in Turkey has been limited since the 1990s in order to prevent the production of marijuana as recreational drug.