Radiation Monitors aid in emergency response efforts.
Press Release Summary:
Pocket-sized nukeALERT II 1703M Personal Radiation Detector and palmRAD 1621M Dosimeter discreetly detect and measure gamma radiation and alert user via vibratory or audible alarm. Featuring impact-resistant, watertight construction, products meet ANSI N42.32 specifications. Dual-mode operation consists of 1-9 strength indicator scale for simple analysis of sources present, and provision of exposure rate readings and accumulated dose information.
Original Press Release:
Berkeley Nucleonics Adds to Suite of Advanced Personal Radiation Detectors Designed for DHS Emergency Response Efforts
San Rafael, CA; September 15, 2005 - Today Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation (BNC) announced the addition of two new instruments to its comprehensive line of advanced personal radiation detectors. These highly sensitive radiation monitors discreetly detect and measure gamma radiation then alert the operator through a vibration or audible alarm. They are the nukeALERT II 1703M Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) and the palmRAD 1621M Dosimeter.
Simple to understand and operate, these tools are essential for the non-technical user with applications in emergency response, border patrol, cargo inspection, homeland security and counter-terrorism. The instruments are impact resistant and watertight with a sensitivity that outperforms other popular radiation systems. Whether the user is experienced in radiation safety, or operating as general security, the instruments provide an intuitive interface.
All BNC radiation detectors offer two critical operation modes: the first mode incorporates a 1-9 strength indicator scale for simple analysis of sources present and the second mode provides exposure rate readings and accumulated dose information commonly found in dosimeters. The instrument employs an algorithm which enables the user to adjust the settings to minimize false alarms in high background level environments without compromising the probability of detecting a source.
"The addition of the nukeALERT II and new palmRAD products to our product line will enable BNC to help put affordable, unobtrusive radiation detection equipment into the hands of the hundreds of thousands of first response personnel supporting homeland security objectives in the United States," said David Brown, President of Berkeley Nucleonics.
These units have been designed to meet ANSI N42.32 specifications which are standards for radiation and nuclear detection equipment adopted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology division in February of 2004. The ANSI N42.32 standard (Performance Criteria for Alarming Personal Radiation Detectors for Homeland Security) describes design and performance criteria along with testing methods for evaluating the performance of instruments for homeland security that are pocket sized and carried on the body for the purpose of detecting the presence and magnitude of radiation.
According to the "Homeland Security Preparedness Survey" commissioned by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), what law enforcement agencies need more than anything else is appropriate equipment to prevent or respond to a terrorist attack effectively. In the event of a radiological emergency, first response teams equipped with any one of these instruments can effortlessly monitor a wide area for radiological hot zones by simply clipping the unit to their utility belt and following normal response procedures. In addition to homeland security applications, these monitors are appropriate to detect radiation leaks or contamination, help maintain regulatory compliance, and monitor medical or environmental waste. Cargo inspectors can use the devices to locate radiation from behind shielding or at very low levels.
Brown noted that radiation detectors "support critical decisions and actions that must be made quickly during an emergency incident. They provide immediate and crucial environmental and situational information which can save assessment time in the field and help move vital data up the chain of command."
The presence of a detector will provide personnel with assurance that their personal health and safety are being monitored and they can focus on more immediate tasks. The instrument is designed to efficiently communicate to the user both critical stay time and personal dose rate information that encompasses the lowest levels of natural background.
About Berkeley Nucleonics
Headquartered in San Rafael, California, and founded in 1963, Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation is an internationally recognized pioneer in the development of precision test and measurement instrumentation and real-time radiation detection, surveillance and measurement equipment.
For more information: www.berkeleynucleonics.com
