TSA expands hand swabs

WEST PALM BEACH, FL --  The Transportation Security Administration announced it is expanding the random use of Explosive Trace Detection  technology at airports nationwide as an additional layer of security.

The TSA has been doing limited hand-swabbing for explosives since 2008 but now they'll step up the effort. Hand-swabbing will take place randomly at all US airports and won't be limited to security checkpoints. You make be asked hold out your hand at your gate or while you're standing in line. 

"They're looking for two very common elements nitrates and glycerins. Glycerins are found in hand creams and nitrates are found in fertilizers, they are very common and easy to acquire for bomb making," says WPTV aviation expert David Bjellos.

The hand swabbing takes only a few seconds and won't affect wait times.  It's another layer of screening in the wake of the attempted Christmas day bombing in Detroit. 

The TSA will have close to 8,000 explosive trace detection units in use at airports around the country. For more information click here to read more on the new requirements.