A Brief on Radiation & Global Radiation Detection Solutions

Radiation is the spontaneous emission given out by unstable nuclei in their atom’s attempts to be rid of unneeded atomic energy and gain more stability. This energy is known as radioactivity, which can create issues in human and organic health and therefore, must be detected before it causes harm.

Why We Need Global Radiation Detection Solutions 

Radioactive materials can be present in a range of physical states (as solids, liquids, and gases) and colors despite their pure form being silver and solid metallic in color and state. It is practically impossible to tell them apart from ordinary metals in their pure form, at least on the basis of their physical features. 

 

Moreover, we cannot see, smell, feel, hear, or feel ionizing radiation. Something with such a potential risk becomes far more dangerous when it cannot be detected by the human senses.

All these reasons have made it essential to create global radiation detection solutions; devices that can identify radioactive materials as well as sources that are otherwise not possible to locate without unique markings.

Scientists have tirelessly worked on resolving these issues and developed four major types of tools to determine the intensity and source of radioactive materials and ionizing radiation

Types of Global Radiation Detection Solutions

Given below are the four major variants of radiation detection systems at present -

 

●     Personal Radiation Detector (PRD)

●     Handheld Survey Meter

●     Radiation Isotope Identification Device (RIID)

●     Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM)

 

Personal Radiation Detector (PRD)

This device can be worn and used as a gamma and neutron radiation detector. These particles can be detected separately as well. It is small in size - about as large as a pager - but is fitted with cutting-edge technological features. These include detector alarms that can be set to flash, vibrate or give out certain tones when exposed to increased radiation levels.

A majority of these devices show the perceived radiation intensity in numerical form. This means they can help users locate the source of radiation by moving closer as the number rises on a scale of 0 to 9. On the other hand, PRDs are not generally as sensitive as their handheld counterparts in survey meters, so they aren’t as adept in recognizing what type the radioactive source is.

Handheld Survey Meter

This is similar to the Personal Radiation Detector but with additional capabilities, which is why it’s one of the most popular environmental monitoring systems across the globe. As its name suggests - it is a handheld radiation detector designed to assess the levels of radiation present in the atmosphere.

It can present this data on its numerical display in various units such as microrem (µrem) or micro roentgen (µR) per hour, or counts per second or minute, depending on the users’ requirements.

Although most handheld survey meters are made to detect gamma or beta radiation, there are models designed to recognize alpha and neutron radiation given out by radioactive materials as well.

A meter called a teletector is another well-known device that’s designed to recognize photon radiation (gamma and x-rays). It can be extended to several feet to keep the user safe when measuring extreme dose rates, which these devices can measure up to a thousand rad per hour.

Radiation Isotope Identification Device (RIID)

These belong to a type of radiation detection systems that are capable of evaluating the energy spectrum of radiation. This enables them to determine which radionuclide is giving out the radiation. RIIDs are also quite useful as survey tools to find where the radioactive material is located. 

Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM)

This contains a portal - in other words, a sizable radiation monitor and two pillars with radiation detectors that check people or items as small as boxes and as large as trains to pass through. 

It is one of the most reliable forms of global radiation detection solutions for large-scale detection. The display panel helps monitor the detectors and be alerted whenever radioactive materials are indicated (even uranium and other low-radiation substances).