Ports and Border Security

Survey meters are portable radiation detection and measurement devices used to detect and measure external or ambient ionizing radiation fields. They are also used detect and monitor personnel, equipment and facilities for radiation and radioactive contamination.

Hand-held Radioisotope Identification Devices (RIID’s) are designed to identify the isotopic composition of radioactive sources. A RIID is typically a small, handheld device that is generally easy to use and deploy. The devices are often multipurpose/multitask instruments able to detect different forms of radiation and perform a variety of functions; used to search, detect and identify radioactive materials.

Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM’s) are passive radiation detection devices used for the screening of individuals, vehicles, cargo or other vectors for detection of radioactive materials or radiation contamination. They are designed to detect traces of radiation emitted from an object passing through it. Most times, gamma radiation is detected, and in some cases the monitors are complemented by neutron detection when sensitivity for special nuclear material is desired.

A radiation dosimeter is a device that monitors and stores personal dose information for ionizing radiation. Dosimetry is routinely given to persons working with radioactive materials or radiation-producing machines. Typically however, dosimeters are provided to people who could potentially be exposed to radiation during the course of performing their jobs. This would apply to first responders, fire fighters, hazmat technicians and law enforcement personnel.

Detection and identification of chemical agents involved in any hazardous material (Hazmat) incident is vital to the protection of first responders and emergency medical personnel at local medical facilities as well as to the effective treatment of casualties. The possibility also exists that a terrorist attack may involve the use of chemical warfare agent. The detection of any agent should be taken as an indication of an imminent threat and should therefore provoke extensive testing. Explosives trace detectors (ETD) are explosive detection equipment able to detect explosives of small magnitude. The detection is accomplished by sampling non-visible “trace” amounts of particulates.