Chapter 4
Radiation Detection Technology
Although there have been anecdotal accounts of people sensing high levels of radiation (e.g. having a metallic taste or tingling skin) there is no scientific support for
these accounts; to the best of our knowledge humans lack the ability to sense ionizing
radiation. Thus, radiation detection instruments are the only reliable way that we have
to indicate the presence of radiation or radioactivity and the level of risk that they
pose. However, not all radiation detectors are capable of detecting all forms of radiation, conducting the different types of surveys that might be called for, or obtaining
a reading under all conditions. As one example, radiation detectors made of sodium
iodide are excellent for detecting gamma radiation, but are not at all sensitive to alpha
particles; a policeman carrying a sodium iodide detector would be utterly unaware
of the presence of even very high levels of Po-210, such as that used to assassinate
Alexander Litvenenko. By the same token, the zinc sulfide crystals used to detect
alpha radiation are not sensitive to gamma radiation. There are numerous examples
of radiation instruments being used incorrectly or inappropriately, even by seasoned
professionals.
Under some circumstances radiation can pose a threat to the health or the lives of
emergency responders and/or members of the public. If those at the scene are using
the wrong instruments then this risk might go unrecognized. For this reason, it is
essential that those using instruments as well as those supervising their work have
a good understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate use for each of
the instruments they purchase and use.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
P. A. Karam, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism,
Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69162-2_4
29
Radiation Detection Technology
Although there have been anecdotal accounts of people sensing high levels of radiation (e.g. having a metallic taste or tingling skin) there is no scientific support for
these accounts; to the best of our knowledge humans lack the ability to sense ionizing
radiation. Thus, radiation detection instruments are the only reliable way that we have
to indicate the presence of radiation or radioactivity and the level of risk that they
pose. However, not all radiation detectors are capable of detecting all forms of radiation, conducting the different types of surveys that might be called for, or obtaining
a reading under all conditions. As one example, radiation detectors made of sodium
iodide are excellent for detecting gamma radiation, but are not at all sensitive to alpha
particles; a policeman carrying a sodium iodide detector would be utterly unaware
of the presence of even very high levels of Po-210, such as that used to assassinate
Alexander Litvenenko. By the same token, the zinc sulfide crystals used to detect
alpha radiation are not sensitive to gamma radiation. There are numerous examples
of radiation instruments being used incorrectly or inappropriately, even by seasoned
professionals.
Under some circumstances radiation can pose a threat to the health or the lives of
emergency responders and/or members of the public. If those at the scene are using
the wrong instruments then this risk might go unrecognized. For this reason, it is
essential that those using instruments as well as those supervising their work have
a good understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate use for each of
the instruments they purchase and use.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
P. A. Karam, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism,
Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69162-2_4
29