SPRINGFIELD, Virginia – The Transportation Security Administration will no longer require passengers to remove their shoes when going through the security checkpoints at all national airports starting immediately. The reason for this change is related to a study performed by Harvard University, which has shown that shoes can carry a high level and quantity of dangerous bacteria and other contagious diseases. This practice became a health hazard to TSA workers, who are required to handle passengers’ shoes and potentially inhale vapors emanating from the recently removed shoes.

The concern is higher among passengers who do not wear socks and have foot fungus and other types of infections. Their feet are exposed to the inside of the shoe with no protection. This trend is more prevalent in states located in the very southwest and southeast regions of the country. There have been several reports among TSA agents who have had strong headaches and nausea after handling the shoes of certain passengers.

The study shows that TSA workers are at much higher risk from exposure to these noxious vapors coming out of the shoes than passengers are from potential bomb threats implanted in shoes. The perennial has interviewed a TSA worker, Virginia Patdown, who is on paid leave due to exposure that occurred at the airport in LA: “This passenger took his shoes off and I handled it onto the tray. 5 minutes after that, I had a terrible headache, and two hours after my exposure, I was in the hospital. The smell was unbelievable.”

There have been discussions about whether to require specific individuals to remove their coats for similar reasons.