New Radiation Detector: Rad-DX

The Rad-DX is the newest addition to the D-tect family of rugged radiation detectors, and has capabilities unlike anything else on the market.  The Rad-DX is a lightweight fixed-mount radiation detector and dose rate monitor, perfect for mounting on a wall, ceiling, or gate. 

The Rad-DX operates on the new D-tect SensorNet - an automatic communication network that allows users to monitor a full network of Rad-DXs as long as they are in range of a single Rad-DX system. The Rad-DX units will automatically form an intelligent, self-healing mesh network, allowing them to be constantly connected to each other as well as to the user network.

Rad-DX software

The Rad-DX is designed to easily integrate into existing networks via WiFi or Ethernet.  Each unit can be controlled and monitored by a PC on the network or across the internet on any PC, Smartphone, or Tablet.  The network is 128-bit encryption protected and monitoring can be conducted in real-time or past event logs can be reviewed.  You can also monitor Rad-DXs on a integrated floor plan or map display providing an intuitive understanding of the location of a radioactive source. Dose rates can be viewed in multiple graph formats. 

The Rad-DX can be controlled by remote PC or tablet

Like the rest of the D-tect radiation products, a sensitive scintillation detector allows the Rad-DX to detect even faint sources of radiation within 1 second. Directionality is also available so you can track the motion of radiation threats.  The Rad-DX is also IP65 rated for both indoor and outdoor operation.  The Rad-DX will be available in March 2012.  For more information, visit the Rad-DX page on the D-tect Systems website.

Multiple versions of the Rad-DX are available

Radiation Challenges Continue in Fukushima

Even though media coverage of the Japanese nuclear crisis has decline rapidly following the first few weeks of the disaster, there is still a steady stream of cleanup updates and survivor stories hitting international media outlets. Many of these have to do with the residents of the Fukushima Prefecture, whose proximity to the stricken nuclear complex has made life extremely difficult. Changing government regulations, delayed cleanup efforts, and a lack of scientific understanding of the whole situation has added to the chaos of the situation.

A common theme in many of these recent stories is the risk of radiation exposure to children living in or near the prefecture. Although the 20 kilometer evacuation zone set by the Japanese government has helped limit the radiation exposure to many people, there is no guarantee of safety even outside this radius. The problem is that radiation given off by the nuclear plant is extremely hard to track: wind- and water-borne radioactive particles have settled in unpredictable hotpots across the prefecture. This is a major concern for the more than 300,000 residents living in Fukushima city, parts of which lie inside the evacuation zone.

A local Japanese man checking the exterior of a church with the MiniRad-D.

A recent article by the International Herald Tribune reports that more than 70 elementary and secondary schools are located within the city where radiation levels have been measured above the safe dose level for nuclear plant workers – which is much higher than what is safe for children. Many of these schools have no way to monitor changing radiation levels and have received no help from the government to decontaminate school grounds. This has many parents worried and angry at the Japanese government, and a few have already taken the problem into their own hands. One day care center measured a drop in radiation levels from 30 times to two times the background level after volunteers scraped off the top layer of dirt on the playground. Efforts are underway at other schools to remove contaminated soil and plants from school property.

A MiniRad-D showing the radiation reading in a Japanese courtyard.

We are also committed to help out these children. In two separate trips to Japan since the crisis began, we’ve been able to see for ourselves what the situation is like. Members of our team have been working with charitable organizations to scan schools and churches for radiation and we’ve donated ten MiniRad-D units (pager-sized radiation detectors) to help school district officials determine safe and unsafe levels of radiation so parents feel comfortable about sending kids to school. These units are also used to help churches determine radiation levels at their buildings. Check out this post for details of the first trip.

Although the media coverage has mostly moved on to newer stories, the Japanese nuclear crisis is far from over. A tremendous amount of work remains before the Japanese confidence, economy, and environment completely stabilizes. 

 

D-tect Systems is supplier of advanced radiation and chemical detection equipment sold around the world. www.dtectsystems.com.

Radioactive Fossils!

Last week one of our engineers took a trip down to Moab, Utah which is about a 4 hour drive south from our facility. For those of you who have never visited southern Utah, Moab is a world-famous mountain biking destination. It’s also known for dinosaur bones – the bright red sandstone in the area has produced some amazing ancient remains. While checking out one of the shops in town, our engineer noticed that the MiniRad-D (a portable radiation detector) he brought with him alarmed when he passed a row of fossils. I was surprised to find that this isn’t an anomaly: fossils often have radiation levels much higher than the environment around them. Robert Bekker, a world famous paleontologist, referred to this phenomenon when he said "you wouldn't want to leave some bone fragments in your pocket all day long."

An enthusiast checks the radiation levels of a dinosaur bone near Denver (source).

So why are fossils so ‘hot’? The reasons for this are not completely known, but one possible reason is that naturally-occurring radiation tends to concentrate in the living tissue of plants and animals. This is especially true with ocean-dwelling creatures such as shellfish and snails. Particles containing  isotopes such as U-238 and Th-232 and other isotopes often coalesce on the seafloor where the living organisms are exposed to them. Over long periods of time, the collected isotopes decay into other radioactive isotopes, making even small concentrations stand out. Also, In a process known as permineralization, living materials are replaced at times by deposits of denser materials with greater concentrations of radioactive isotopes.

These concentrations are usually fairly low, however, and it’s easy to see why people miss them. There’s often no visual difference between a rock containing a fossil and other ancient rocks. And because Geiger counters respond slowly to radiation, they would be ineffective at finding radiation at such low levels unless the operator knows what they are looking for. Scintillation detectors like the Cesium Iodide crystal used in the MiniRad-D will have a much better chance of finding these materials because they react quickly to radiation and can be up to 100 times more sensitive to radiation.

Also found in southern Utah, this rock contains measurable levels of Th-232.

Has anyone else had luck finding fossils or bones with a radiation detector? All this talk has made me want to get out into the late-spring sunshine and go searching. Who knows how many hot dino bones are still down there?  

D-tect Systems is supplier of advanced radiation and chemical detection equipment sold around the world. www.dtectsystems.com.

My Trip to Japan

While in Japan, I was paired with a group that was sent to check on the structural integrity of several church buildings in several cities. My role was to show them how to use the equipment and gauge the levels of radiation at each site. To check on these levels I went armed with two different radiation detectors: the MiniRad-D (a small, pager-sized detector) and the Rad-ID (a portable radiation identifier).

In my visits to cities from Tokyo to Iwaki I checked radiation levels and talked with the local church officials about what those levels meant. Radiation levels in downtown Tokyo were near natural background levels but the closer I got to Fukushima, the higher the radiation levels rose. The cities I visited showed readings of anywhere from 0.35 µSv/hr to 2 µSv/hr above background radiation, which are elevated levels, but definitely not dangerous. Using the Rad-ID, I found out that most of the radiation came from the radioactive isotopes Co-60, I-131, I-132, and Cs-137, which are commonly given off in nuclear processes.


An interesting observation that I made was that storm drains in the areas I visited showed higher levels of radiation than the surrounding areas. I surmised that rainfall had carried down and collected some of the radioactive dust in the air and deposited the contamination as it flowed down these drains.


Although the Japanese have shown amazing resilience and are working as hard as they can to solve these enormous problems, there is still much uncertainty about health risks and what the future will bring. We’ll be back soon to check on the radiation levels again. If you’d like to brush up on your radiation basics, you can check out this sheet we’ve complied. It has basic conversions, safety levels, and doses to put radiation exposure in perspective. An interesting chart on radiation dose rates can be found here.

Protecting the Public from a Nuclear Power Plant Radiation Leak

How can you feel safe? How much warning will you have?

The ongoing battle to control the reactors at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant is terrifying to follow, but also leads millions that live near nuclear power plants to look over their shoulder and wonder “what if”? How many of us live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant? In the U.S. alone, there are 104 nuclear power plants, most with multiple reactors.

When a leak is detected, there are two primary tools to measure the radiation: dosimeters and radiation detectors. Both provide different critical functions.

Dosimeters are the important instruments at the radiation leak. When worn on the body, often clipped to a pocket or belt, they measure how much radiation your body has absorbed. This is critical because the human body can absorb an amazing amount of radiation without damage, but there is a limit. A dosimeter shows when it is time to get away from the radiation before health consequences can occur. Everyone working in an area of high radiation needs to have a dosimeter. Especially the workers trying to stop a radiation leak.

Radiation detectors are faster and more sensitive than dosimeters, react instantly when radiation is detected, and indicate the amount of radiation.  If dosimeters are like a doctor looking over your shoulder to continually measure your health, radiation detectors are more like guard dogs. Radiation detectors are used just like guard dogs – they can monitor a perimeter and provide instant warning if that perimeter is violated. They can also be used to inspect people and vehicles for radiation. When people leave a contaminated area they are scanned with radiation detectors to quickly determine who needs to go through decontamination and who can be waved on.  Often contamination is in the form of dust present on skin, clothes and shoes. This contamination can be washed off once detected. The people who need radiation detectors are those who establish and guard the perimeter around ground zero, control the road blocks, evacuate the local population, control hospital admittance, and check people and vehicles for contamination as they leave the danger area.

How much warning will you have if a radiation leak occurs at the local nuclear power plant? Radiation detectors inform the authorities that a leak has happened within seconds.  Then it’s up to the authorities and the local emergency management team to determine how to respond and what the public needs to know.  And if a perimeter needs to be established and  an evacuation ordered.

After the leak is stopped, how can you feel safe living next to a Nuclear Plant? How do you know radioactive dust isn’t blowing around during windy days? Those same radiation detectors keep monitoring radiation levels 24/7.  They are sensitive enough to detect very small levels of radiation and can be set to alarm at far below hazardous levels. No radiation contamination can move without detection within a network of these devices.

Radiation is invisible to us, but we have the tools to track its every move.

Mark Kaspersen is the Director of Engineering of D-tect Systems, producers of radiation detection equipment sold around the world. www.dtectsystems.com.

Radiation Exposure: What Can I Do?

Experiencing the front line of a crisis is a terrifying experience, especially in the face of uncertainty and fear of the unknown.  This point is especially well illustrated in Japan’s ongoing nuclear crisis.  For over a week now, rescue workers in Japan have dealt with floods, fires, power outages, and infrastructure damage, all compounded with the threat of an escalating nuclear crisis.  Radiation levels are at elevated levels for miles around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex and scientists are scrambling to determine how much radiation has already been released into the environment.  In the interest of providing a little peace of mind to security personnel across the globe whose line of work brings them into contact with critical situations, we have a few basic suggestions on how to avoid radiation risks.

The way the public views radiation has been shaped by some of the most horrific incidents in modern history: Chernobyl and Hiroshima.  These extreme cases have influenced many to assume that radiation is an exotic and deadly phenomenon.  In reality, our environment is steeped in radiation that our bodies absorb without any proven ill effect.  The most important factor in understanding the impact of radiation is quantity – how high radiation levels are and how these levels translate to risk. 

Security personnel are key and assist as the first line of defense against these varying dangers of radiation.  Organization is extremely important in crisis situations, and even just a few informed individuals can drastically change the outcome of a hazardous situation.  Security personnel have to act quickly to mitigate and ascertain the amount of radiation in the environment.  Two tools that are absolutely essential to security personnel in a radiation crisis are the dosimeter and radiation detector. 

A dosimeter is a small badge worn on the body or a small handheld device used to measure how much radiation the person has been subjected to.  Security personnel are often exposed to more radiation in their line of work, and must carefully monitor their dosimeters to tell them when they are approaching risk levels and must leave the danger area.  To give some idea of safe radiation levels, natural background radiation – the radiation that we are exposed to every day from cosmic rays and naturally-occurring radioactive materials – is about 370 millirems per year in the United States.  A coast-to-coast airplane trip will expose you to about 12 millirems, and a year of watching four hours of television per day adds up to about 2 millirems.  These quantities are miniscule compared to a federal occupational limit of exposure at 5000 millirems per year. Children and pregnant women have much lower exposure levels, and very high levels of radiation can cause serious health risks in a short time. 

Radiation detectors are indispensable to security efforts because they allow personnel to find contaminated areas and people quickly.  A common detector that has been used in the past is a Geiger-Mueller detector, or a Geiger counter. A Geiger counter is a very low cost detector, typically less than $500 USD, and provides very basic detection of large levels of radiation. However, they have significant limitations in a radiation crisis including limited to no detection of lower levels of radiation that can still be dangerous, as well as slower response time. One of the best detection technologies on the market is called a scintillation detector.  These detectors, on average, are 100 times more sensitive than Geiger counter and respond more rapidly to radiation, usually within one second, and typically cost around $1,200 USD.  The much greater sensitivity of scintillation detectors is important in situations like the Japanese nuclear crisis because the heightened environmental levels of radiation in the ocean near the complex (which are 127 times normal background levels) would not even show up on a typical Geiger counter.  The information scintillation detectors gather from radiation can even be used to identify different radioactive isotopes.  Devices such as the D-tect Systems MiniRad-D (a personal handheld detector) and Rad-ID (a handheld radiation detector and identifier) and regularly used by security personnel and individuals in such situations to detect and, where necessary, identify the types of radioactive materials a person has been exposed to.

The procedures outlined by government agencies are carefully adapted to each dangerous situation and should be strictly adhered to.  These procedures aim to limit the spread of radiation and minimize risk to exposed areas.  Although the specific instructions given out for each incident vary, here are a few general guidelines that should always be followed. 

First, in case of radiation contamination, get people (including yourself) out of harm’s way as quickly as possible and notify authorities. Radiation spreads easily though blowing dust and smoke, so radiation-free secure zones must be established by sealing off areas from the outside environment by closing and weather-proofing doors and windows and placing food and water in well-insulated areas such as basements.

Second, since human skin generally acts a good barrier against low-level radiation, the biggest threat is breathing in radioactive materials or somehow ingesting them.  Make sure to wear a face mask in areas that may be contaminated and wash hands regularly.  If you suspect someone has been exposed to radioactive dust, the best solution is usually as simple as discarding contaminated clothing and washing with soap and water, as this will rid the body of radiation before it can cause damage.  As an additional guard against significant amounts of radiation, potassium iodide tablets are sometimes given to protect to the thyroid gland.

Third, preparation is vital when it comes to any kind of disaster, and we recommend everyone keep an emergency kit close at hand so that they can be personally prepared in case of any crises.  This kit should include such things as food and water for a few days, water filtration kit, emergency blanket, rain gear, batteries for radios and detectors, dust mask, extra clothing, flashlight, candles, waterproof matches, cooking utensils, necessary medications, and a first aid kit.  Although we generally take these supplies for granted, shortages can occur quickly in crisis situations.   

Although the current nuclear crisis is fraught with unanswered questions, appropriate preparation will enable you to minimize potential risks and provide you the ability to safely navigate through any crises, including potential radiation exposure.

D-tect Systems Counters Newly Discovered ‘Dirty Bomb’ Threats

Draper, Utah, February 3, 2011 – D-tect Systems, a leader provider of radiological and chemical security products, is a long time participant in the war against terrorism.  The silent technology battles of security vs. terrorists have remained, for the most part, out of sight and out of mind for most Americans.  A shift, however, is underway that may bring this battle much closer. 

An article entitled “WikiLeaks: al-Qaeda ‘is planning a dirty bomb’”¹ was released yesterday by The Telegraph news organization.  According to the article, leaked diplomatic documents published by WikiLeaks portray much greater advances in terrorist technologies than previously thought, especially in the field of radiological warfare, such as ‘dirty bombs.’  These bombs, though lacking the raw power of nuclear weapons, have the potential to produce devastating effects because they disperse radiation-emitting substances over a large area.  Exposure to various types of radiation has serious medical implications: burns, loss of sight, long-term diseases such as cancer, and even death.  The materials for making these bombs are much easier to gather than nuclear weapons-grade material: the article cites examples of increased radioactive material trafficking in various parts of the world. 

Although the new information published by WikiLeaks is shocking, the US government has known about the threat of ‘dirty bombs’ for years.  In fact, the US Department of Health included this in a 2007 handbook for response for radiation emergencies: “government authorities and other experts believe a real probability exists that a radiological or nuclear device could be used in a terrorism attack in the future.”  The fact is that response to these concerns has been slow.  Precious few gamma or neutron radiation systems are in place in the United States.  Less than 25% of American hospitals, a logical target of terrorist organizations, have the equipment and training capabilities to deal with the event of a dirty bomb. 

Morgan Taylor, president of D-tect Systems, discusses the magnitude of newly-discovered threats.  “Preparation is key.  To effectively combat threats such as these, the technology to find and contain radiation has to already be in place.  It’s too late once it happens.”

D-tect Systems has long known of the threats facing the American people and provides a line of radiation and chemical detectors, used globally as well as by the Department of Homeland Security, to counter this danger.  D-tect Systems products include the MiniRad-D, a small, pager sized radiation detector containing a sensitive radiation detection system, has been used by police and military forces for years, and the handheld Rad-ID device which can not only detect radiation, but can also identify 110 different radioactive istopes, giving emergency response personnel the lifesaving edge to control and contain dangerous materials. 

¹http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8296956/WikiLeaks-al-Qaeda-is-planning-a-dirty-bomb.html