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U.S. Tests Radiation Sensors in Nevada
U.S. scientists in Nevada are testing sensors that could be used to detect radiation from a nuclear weapon or radiological “dirty bomb,” the Associated Press reported Saturday (see GSN, Nov. 9, 2005). The $33 million Radiological/Nuclear Countermeasures Test and Evaluation Complex began operation nine months ago at the Nevada Test Site. Work is conducted at a temporary facility while a permanent site is being built. Roughly 30 commercially available devices — ranging in size from hand-held sensors to portal detectors — are being tested at the facility. The purpose is to determine their ability to distinguish between radiation-based weapons and harmless sources of radiation such as kitty litter, according to AP. “We get alarms frequently with medical patients or other materials,” said Vayl Oxford, director of the U.S. Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. Sensors posted around the country have sounded 10,000 alarms to date; none of the radiation sources have proven to be weapons material, Oxford said. Work at the facility could produce a buying guide on the sensors for use by state and local emergency agencies, AP reported. Hand-held sensors developed in the coming years are expected to be able to identify sources of radiation in closed shipping containers. There are approximately 650 portal sensors installed at border crossings, ports and roadside inspection sites around the country, according to Oxford. The devices ultimately could be placed in all 50 states. “If we’re not going forward with an investment in this type of technology, we could very easily miss and opportunity to defeat a terrorist with a dirty bomb or a radiological device,” said Representative Jim Gibbons (R-Nev.) (Ken Ritter, Associated Press/phillyBurbs.com, Jan. 28).
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