I’ve heard of seismic crews testing positive due to handling explosives a day or two before a flight.
hmm i wonder if lawn fertilizer- ammonium nitrate- will show up as explosice?
American ingenuity to the rescue. Fieldwipes are a new type of cleaning wipe designed specifically to remove traces of heavy metals, explosive (or fertilizer) residue, and other trace elements that occur from handing or shooting ammunition or explosives. These are nasty products that you don't want on your skin, anyway. The TSA "wipes" are simple tests that should only be used, when used properly, as a basis for determining if further lab-grade analysis is needed.
The morning of the day my son flew home from a visit with his grandparents, his grandpa took him to the range.
Of course he got screened. Of course he was covered with GSR.
When they went to test him, my son started laughing and warned them that he’d come up “hot”. He told them what they’d done. The test came back positive and a supervisor was called as was protocol.
The agent explained to the supervisor what was going on. Horribly, everything he *touched* was contaminated with GSR so as they searched his shoes (which were worn to the range) and his bags, they were also positive.
Everyone was very nice and followed procedure. They searched the heck out of him (nicely) and he was very cooperative. The whole thing took about 20 minutes and they ended up sending him on his way.