U.S. Testing Next-Generation Nuclear Detectors

The U.S. Homeland Security Department this month in Nevada is testing the next generation of radiation detectors to determine if they justify a cost more than six times as high as the equipment currently in use, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Oct. 3, 2006).

Each of the new machines, which later this year are scheduled to be tested at the sea cargo terminals in New York, costs more than $370,000.

Last October, the Government Accountability Office reported that new detectors show a high incidence of “false negatives” — failure to detect a dangerous material or to identify it as threatening.  The chance of a false negative was even higher if nuclear material was placed near natural and innocuous emitters of radiation such as kitty liter.

The new technology — rather than just detecting the presence or absence of radiation — is designed to distinguish between isotopes.  Such an ability would allow inspectors to quickly determine what should be of concern and what could be waved through security points.

“We don’t expect this to be 100 percent effective immediately, but we will continue to refine it,” Vayl Oxford, head of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office within Homeland Security, told the AP.

Following the tests this month, Oxford would offer his recommendation to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff whether the new machines should be approved for deployment.  In addition to the questions raised in the GAO report, lawmakers have questioned the new technology and are withholding funding until test can confirm it is worth the cost.

Homeland Security ultimately plans to install the new detectors at 380 border crossings (Associated Press/International Herald Tribune, March 6).

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