Radiological dispersal devices

Recent movies, documentaries and news reports have heightened public awareness of a theoretical terrorist radiation threat commonly referred to as a “dirty bomb.” The principal type of dirty bomb, officially referred to as radiological dispersal devices (RDD), combine conventional explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive material.

In most instances, the conventional explosive force would cause more damage than the radioactive material. At the levels created by most probable sources, not enough radiation would be present in a dirty bomb to kill people or cause severe illness. However, these radioactive materials might be dispersed in the air and could contaminate up to several city blocks, creating fear and panic. A dirty bomb is in no way similar to a nuclear weapon. The presumed purpose of an RDD would be disruption of routine and widespread fear rather than destruction.

Model 951	Model 904-907	Model 935
Public Safety Officers (Federal, State, Local) First Responders Border Patrol HAZMAT Teams Cargo Inspectors Radiation Safety Officers Military Forces	Low Cost Easy to Use for First Responders Long Calibration Interval Rugged enclosure (Stainless Steel) Immune to Radio Frequency Interface Audio & Visual Alarm	Emergency Response Law Enforcement Border Security HAZMAT Industrial Medical Radiation Safety Portal Monitoring Passenger and Freight Monitoring Non-proliferation Enforcement Health Physics Environmental Waste Monitoring

Radiological dosage meter

While the blast will be immediately obvious, the presence of radiation will not be clearly defined until trained personnel with specialized equipment are on the scene. One of the most important pieces of equipment that will be used in such an event is a radiological dosage meter, which measures the levels of radiation. This type of instrument will help public safety officials determine the contamination area created by a radiological dispersion device. The boundary of radiation contamination from an RDD will be less obvious than conventional nuclear devices.

Fortunately, Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation (BNC) has developed the finest in radiological dosage meter technology available. From our popular, lightweight and easy to use nukeALERT 951 and convenient palmRAD 904 and palmRAD 907 handheld units to our portable SAM 935 gamma spectroscopy systems, we offer all the equipment needed to help public officials identify, contain, and manage the fallout from radiological dispersal devices.

BNC’s variety of radiological dosage meter technology serves diverse industries involved in environmental monitoring, health physics, emergency response and power generation. We are committed to providing your organization with the most functional, task appropriate, and reliable equipment available. Contact us today and let our professional sales and engineering staff help you identify the equipment most effective for use by your organization.