Defending from Within - Potassium Iodide

Radiation permeates the spaces in which we live and work.  It bounces off our skin, enters our bodies in food and drink, and even collects in our bones. Usually these ambient radiation levels are low enough to make little difference to our overall health. But in extreme cases of high radiation levels in the environment, steps must be taken to stop radiation from getting inside us. Interestingly enough, there some things we can take into our bodies that can protect ourselves from radiation.  

Potassium Iodide (KI) is a salt that has been used as a tool for radiation protection since the FDA approved it in 1982. The iodine in KI is stable (or nonradioactive) and is an important chemical needed by our bodies to produce hormones. Most of the iodine in our bodies collects in the thyroid, the site of specific hormone production. The danger with this concentration is that radioactive iodine (such as I-131) can be absorbed in place of stable iodine, leading to heightened concentrations of radiation and risk of thyroid cancer. Radioactive iodine is a common isotope given off during nuclear reactions.  Last year’s Japanese nuclear crisis released large amounts of I-131 into the environment. This prompted record-setting sales of KI that suppliers could not keep up with.

65 mg Potassium Iodide Tablets. source

Last month KI came into the international spotlight again when the US Defense Logistics Agency ordered 1,050,000 doses of the pill to bulk up its stockpile¹. The reason for the order is probably due in part to increased nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran. In any case, the solicitation prompted massive orders for potassium iodide from spooked civilians. 

Although KI is a useful tool for dealing with exposure emergencies, it isn’t a complete remedy. The compound only lessens health hazards from radioactive iodine, not other radioactive isotopes. Correct dosage is very important as well, as young children need far less KI than adults in emergency situations. For other details, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a great page on potassium iodide here.

Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding with potassium iodide is that it doesn’t keep radiation from entering the body, it only reduces the possibility of radioactive iodine being absorbed. That’s why other measures need to be in place to issue advance warnings about radiation threats. Radiation detectors such as the MiniRad-D and Rad-ID as currently used by military, public safety, and homeland security personnel to find and identify radioactive threats. 

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

1: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/potassium-iodide-sales-surge-on-heels-of-large-government-order-147297175.html

Rad-DX Mesh Network

Everyone knows that a single camera doesn’t make a very effective security system.  Even if placed in an optimal location, a single camera can miss important details – a fact that becomes very apparent on countless action movies.  The same is true with radiation detection.  Many detectors working together can identify threats that might slip by a single detector.  This is the core idea behind the mesh network capabilities of the Rad-DX. 

The D-tect Sensor Net, a wireless mesh network built on the 802.15.4 hardware layer, is responsible of the novel network capabilities of the Rad-DX..  All Rad-DXs used in a system (for example multiple devices used at various entrances of building complex) communicate to each other via the D-tect SensorNet.  Each Rad-DX in range of the system automatically connects to the network, the devices automatically form the most efficient network possible, and all units can be monitored at once.  Because each Rad-DX has integrated WiFi and Ethernet, network data is available to smartphones, iPads, and PCs from anywhere in the world.

The D-tect SensorNet is a self-healing network, meaning that even if a Rad-DX loses its connection to the rest of the network (power outage, communication failure, etc.), the rest of the Rad-DXs will route communications around the inoperative unit and continue to communicate effectively.  Have a large area to cover?  The node-to-node range of the Rad-DX is up to 1 km (line of sight), and systems with multiple nodes can cover great distances.  Integrated GPS in every Rad-DX unit allows you to quickly identify the exact location of incidents.

Each detector is able to communicate with the entire mesh network.  Information is relayed anywhere in the world by units in WiFi range.

The communication abilities of the network are supplemented by the following unique features to ensure security.  First, the both the network and WiFi connections are 128-bit encryption protected.  Monitoring can be conducted in real-time, or past even logs can be reviews.  And floor plans can be integrated into the Rad-DX display to provide an intuitive understanding of where radiation is detected. 

So, remember the lessons of James Bond and don’t try to protect your facility with a single detector.  With a mesh network of Rad-DXs you’ll be able to identify and track threats in ways that were never possible before.  Visit the Rad-DX page for more mesh network explanations and examples.

Healthy Radiation? The Benefits and Danger of Medical Isotopes

Out of all the man-made radiation we are exposed to every year, more than half comes from diagnostic x-rays.  Medical tests and treatments that make use of radiation have a huge range: from simple dental procedures to aggressive radiation therapy for cancer patients.  Physicians use x-rays in more than half of all medical diagnoses to determine the extent of disease or physical injury¹.  The kind of radiation that medical professionals use is generally strong at first, but has a short half-life (weakens quickly) and isn’t readily absorbed into the body.  This way the radiation is out of the patient before it has time to do much damage. 

Most medical isotopes are used for imaging, whether they are ingested, inhaled, or injected into the body.  These materials are easily picked up by x-ray machines and other types of detectors, allowing specialists to track the flow of fluids in the body. The most common isotope used for imaging is technetium-99m, which is used for nearly 80% of diagnostic imaging procedures².  Common isotopes for radiation therapy include yttrium-90 and iodine-131.

The vast majority of all concentrated radiation that a normal person runs across comes from medical sources.  In fact, we here at D-tect Systems recently ran across a mysterious source.  Even though medical isotopes are generally carefully controlled and disposed of, many landfills get quite a steady influx of medical radiation.  We recently received permission to take a few samples of a mysterious radiation source in the Trans-Jordan Landfill located at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley.  Like many landfills in the United States, the Trans-Jordan Landfill has a set of huge portal monitors for scanning all incoming loads for radiation.  We were told that loads of scrap metal almost invariably set off the detectors, as well as other materials.

The object of our inquiry was a strong radiation source in a black plastic bag that that landfill workers had located and were observing.  We brought in the D-tect Systems Rad-ID system (a handheld isotope identifier) to see if we could figure out what the mystery isotope was.  It was definitely a strong source – it set off the highest level on our MiniRad-D detector from several meters away.  After a few tests, we found it the source contained at least two medical isotopes: Barium-133 and Radium-226.  These isotopes are commonly used in conjunction in medical treatments.

So how can you make sure medical isotopes are worth the risk?  Talk to a doctor.  Health care personnel take radiation very seriously and use it on a case-by-case basis.  Before receiving x-rays or other types of medical treatments involving radiation, discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure and make sure it’s worth it to you. 

If you’d like more information on radiation in medicine, we invite you to visit World Nuclear Association’s page.  It contains lots of good basic information on radiation usage in medicine as well as technical details on different isotopes.

1) http://www.epa.gov/radiation/docs/402-k-07-006.pdf

2) http://ie.lbl.gov/toi/

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D-tect Systems is a 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.

Am I at Risk of Radiation Exposure?

The ongoing uncertainty of the Japanese nuclear crisis has left people around the world questioning the danger of radiation contamination in their own communities. How much is the general public really at risk of radiation? Because D-tect Systems specializes in detecting threats from radioactive and chemical sources, we offer this article to provide some information on some of the current radiation risks in context and some general guidelines on radiation safety.

The first step in qualifying contamination risks is to separate fact from fiction. The way the public views radiation has mostly been shaped by a few incidents in modern history: Chernobyl and Hiroshima/Nagasaki. 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 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.

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 3 mSv (300 mrem) per year. According to the FAA, A coast-to-coast airplane trip will expose you to about 5 µSv per hour (which comes out to 43.8 mSv/yr for continuous flight), and a year of watching four hours of television of day adds up to about 20 µSv total (2 mrem). These quantities are pretty small compared to a federal occupational limit of radiation exposure set by OSHA at 50 mSv (5000 mrem) per year. Now let’s compare the situation in Japan to all this. Recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency stated that radiation levels at the perimeter of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex have been measured at 1 – 3 mSv/hr. Although this is an elevated radiation level and prolonged exposure could be dangerous, the short-term radiation level set for Japanese workers working on the nuclear complex is 250 mSv, and would take considerable time to reach.

Although the risks of serious widespread radiation contamination in this case are low, the procedures outlined by government agencies should always 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 precaution against significant amounts of radiation, potassium iodide tablets are sometimes given to protect 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 crisis. 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.

Preparation is vital when it comes to any kind of disaster, and we recommend all public safety personnel keep an emergency kit close at hand so that they can be personally prepared to serve the public. This kit should include such things as food and water for a few days, emergency blanket, rain gear, batteries for radios and detectors, dust mask, extra clothing, 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 continues to make headlines and is a great source of fear for many, it is important to know the real risks involved and how to cope with them. With a little knowledge of radiation safety, and material preparation for a crisis, we can minimize future risks and know better what we’re up against.

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

Japan's Nuclear Crisis

Last week one of the largest earthquakes on record shook Northern Japan and triggered a devastating tsunami.  The damage is extensive: so few roads and runways are open that even humanitarian supplies have been seriously delayed.  But the greatest fear of the country isn’t the washed out roads or flattened villages.  It’s an invisible phenomenon with huge historical significance to the Japanese: the threat of nuclear radiation is rising like a ghost recalled from the past.

Nuclear power doesn’t make many headlines these days.  Until last Friday, nuclear plants have been considered in many parts of the world to be the best economical solution to growing power needs.  Japan has 55 nuclear reactors, providing approximately a quarter of the country’s power.  Advancing nuclear technologies have made power more efficient and seemed to invalidate radiation risks illustrated so horrifically by incidents at Chernobyl and Three-Mile Island.  But it is clear that innate nuclear power risks, however diminished, remain.

Japanese security personnel at the nuclear complex.  Photo credit cnn.com.

 The setting for the nuclear showdown in Japan is the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex.  Although this reactor, as well as two others, ceased operations as soon as the magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit, consequent damage to the structure has destabilized the normal cooling operation of the plant and lead to an atomic crisis.  Three hydrogen gas explosions have already rocked the plant, providing evidence that the fuel rods are at above normal temperatures.  Japanese authorities have already announced that steam from a nuclear cooling pond (used to cool the fuel rods) has been released into the atmosphere, meaning that some radiation has already leaked from the plant.  At this point, quantities of released radiation are unknown, but could rise dramatically if cooling of the reactor core is unsuccessful or a breach in the reactor wall occurs. 

But what is the real danger of nuclear radiation?  Unlike other forms of radioactive materials, such as those used commonly in hospitals and industry, nuclear materials are very heavily controlled throughout the world, and for good reason.  Nuclear materials, such as plutonium and uranium, give off neutrons at extremely high energy levels as their nuclei decay.  This kind of radiation easily passes through most matter, but can affect body tissues enough to cause serious medical problems. Short-term nuclear exposure can cause infections, hair loss, and fevers, and in extreme cases, organ failure and death.  Long-term exposure can cause cancer, tumors, and genetic damage.  Even shielded nuclear radiation sources can emit gamma radiation, which brings other health risks. 

The nature of this nuclear crisis, as well as many related scenarios, requires the use of a combination of radiation detectors all working together to minimize risks.  Our products are designed for just this.  In case of a radiation release, a perimeter could be set up using small, handheld MiniRad-D devices.  These pager-sized radiation detectors can sense radiation from tens of meters away.  The MiniRad-D could also be used to check personnel leaving the nuclear zone to determine if decontamination is needed.

The MiniRad-D is self-calibrating and uses a high-sensitivity scintillation detection system.

 The Rad-D unit is ideal for placement in unmanned locations to monitor ambient changes to radiation levels.  The system requires no maintenance and sophisticated neutron detectors can be configured into the system as well as gamma detectors. 

At the forefront of the crisis, specialized equipment designed for finding and identifying the type of radiation is needed.  The high-energy nature of nuclear radiation tends to saturate detectors and is hard to differentiate from gamma radiation.  Special neutron detector systems, such as the Helium-3 gas-filled tubes used by D-tect Systems in both the Rad-ID and Rad-D systems, sort out gamma rays and detect and identify neutron radiation.  The Rad-ID also contains a combination of detector types to find radiation over a wide range of energies, and from large amounts of radiation to sources emitting just above background radiation.

The Rad-ID can identify over 110 radioactive isotopes.

 We hope for the best in the Japan’s current nuclear crisis and that future wise decisions will mitigate the risks involved with nuclear power.