Radiation Alert® products use high quality electronics and detectors.  We have been manufacturing the Radiation Alert® product line since 1979 and have a less than 1% return on repair.

Cheaper detectors use inferior electronics and detectors and craftmanship is lacking.

Radiation Alert® products are proven reliable and accurate and have been purchased around the world by professionals, government, and the general public for over 40 years

• General monitoring / emergencies → GM detector
• Low‑level environmental detection → scintillation detector
• Personal exposure tracking → dosimeter
• Facility monitoring → area monitor
• Material identification → spectroscopy system

You want to hold the instrument so the detector or probe is facing the suspected source.  If there is an end window in your detector, make sure to not touch anything to the window.  This can cause damage to the window and render you instrument inoperable.

• For general readings: a few inches away
• For contamination checks: as close as possible (without contact)

Contact to a contaminated surface could contaminate your instrument and render it inoperable.

It depends on the instrument, but most respond within 3-5 seconds.

Yes, however some instruments preform better in high radiation environments.

A quick measurement is 3-10 sec.  For a more accurate measurement do 5 minutes.

To name a few,

• Checking antique radium/uranium items
• Verifying scrap metal
• Monitoring around a nuclear plant
• Checking rocks/minerals
• Emergency preparedness
• Workplace safety

Most basic radiation detectors are easy to use and the manuals give good explanations on how to operate them.

There are more sophisticated instruments that require more knowledge of radiation that some training would be necessary to understand the instruments capabilities.

Yes.  Radiation detectors are primarily for safety.

It depends on how you take care of it.  I have had mine for over 40 years and it still works fine.  However, the detector will degrade over time with use and it’s accuracy range will broaden. That is why we recommend regular calibrations.

Yes, but most are battery specific for hours of use.

Most detector have a temperature operating range.  In very low or very high temperatures the reading can be inaccurate.

Yes

Yes. That is exactly what it is for as well as giving you information on the extent of radiation contamination.

No.  There is not radiation in the detector.

Yes.  A radiation detector is just a sensing instrument.  You can equate it to a smoke detector.

Hold the instrument as close as possible without touching and take you measurement.

Touching the instrument to a contaminated surface could contaminate the instrument rendering it unusable.

To take a measurement-

Turn the instrument on.

Hold the instrument as close to the suspected source without touching it.

A reading should appear on the display.

The longer you take a measurement, the more accurate the reading will be.

Radiation is random not constant. The instrument needs time to acquire enough data to stabilize.

Radiation is random events and it takes time for the instrument to settle to acquire an accurate reading.

No

No

No

• Designed and manufactured in the USA
• Trusted by professionals worldwide
• Wide range of detectors for every application
• Optional NIST‑traceable calibration
• Free software for data logging and analysis

• Basic detectors → detect radiation only
• Advanced systems (MCA/spectroscopy) → identify isotopes

Our instruments detect ionizing radiation Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and X-ray.

Types of ionizing radiation are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and X-ray, and Neutron Radiation.

Examples of NON-ionizing radiation are microwaves and radiowaves.

No. Our instruments detect ionizing radiation. Microwaves are non-ionizing radiation. DO NOT PLACE OUR INSTRUMENTS IN A MICROWAVE AS IT MAY DAMAGE THE INSTRUMENT OR THE MICROWAVE OVEN.

No.

The 10 keV mentioned in some of our specifications is specific to gamma/x rays. For beta particles, it is a bit different. For example, the detector used in The Ranger, Ranger EXP, Frisker, Inspector, and Abacus units has an “Areal density” listed as 1.5 to 2.0 mg/cm^2. Looking this up on a beta particle range/energy curve, this thickness will stop all betas up to about 35 keV. Therefore the ABSOLUTE minimum beta energy that can be detected is about 35 keV, not taking into account any other physical factors (distance, self-absorption, the grill over the detector, etc.).

You can find an online Interactive Table of the Elements from TouchSpin.com by clicking here

Click here to contact the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors. Inc. (CRCPD) for a list of professionals in your area.

Since the event of September 11, we have had an increased amount of calls from individuals wanting to be informed if a radiation event takes place. Radiation is a scary topic for most individuals, but some basic knowledge will help in determining what action to take when exposed to radiation in an emergency response situation.

The types of radiation encountered during such an event are alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha and beta are particles and gamma is a ray/photon. A piece of paper can stop alpha and a few millimeters of aluminum foil can stop most betas. We say most beta energies because there are high energy betas that are more penatrable. Most people consider alpha and beta not to be of a concern; however, these particles can be ingested or inhaled and cause damage to the body. There are high and low levels of gamma, but the primary concern with gamma radiation is the amount of time you are exposed to it.

There are two types of monitoring devices that are applicable in an emergency response to radiation. One is a rate meter/general purpose Geiger counter. This type of instrument shows the rate that the radiation is being received. The other is a dosimeter. A dosimeter shows the amount/dose being received.

When measuring radiation in an emergency response situation, it is good to have something to compare your readings to. Taking a background radiations level in your area before a radiation event, will help you determine if you have a radiation elevation and whether or not to stay in that location. Background radiation is naturally occurring radiation that is always present. It includes; high energy gamma rays from the sun and outer space and alpha, beta, gamma radiation emitted from elements in the earth. Using a rate meter, you can determine what your normal background is.

It is up to the individual to decide what a safe radiation level is because it differs depending on the individual and their knowledge of radiation and its affects. As an example; say your background level is 25 CPM (counts per minute) where you live. When you fly in an air plane at 30,000 feet your rate meter is getting 200 CPM for anywhere between 2 to 5 hours. That is 8 times what your normal background is on the ground, but it is for a limited amount of time. There are non-occupational dose limits set by the government which is 100 mR per year above background per year.

What we suggest for a good emergency response kit for radiation is a general purpose Geiger counter like the Monitor 4, a carbon fiber dosimeter such as the PEN200 and a Charger to reset the dosimeter. There are electronic dosimeters, however, if you are in the blast zone of a nuclear bomb the pulse of the bombs render most electronic inoperable but the carbon style dosimeters will still operate.

Alpha: Positively charged particles emitted from the nucleus of an atom. Alpha particles are relatively large, and very heavy. Due to this strong (+) charge and large mass, an alpha particle cannot penetrate far into any material. A sheet of paper or an inch of air can usually stop most alpha particles.

Background Radiation: Naturally occurring radiation is always present, it includes high energy gamma rays from the sun and outer space and alpha, beta, and gamma radiation emitted from elements in the earth.

Beta Particles: Negatively charged particles emitted from an atom. Beta particles have a mass and charge equal to that of an electron. They are very light particles (about 2,000 times less mass than a proton) and have a charge of -1. Because of their light mass and single charge, beta particles can penetrate more deeply than alpha particles. A few millimeters of aluminum will stop most beta particles.

Bq (Becquerels): A quantity of radioactivity in which one atom is transformed per second. 1 dps (one disintegration per second).

CPM (counts per minute): The unit of measurement usually used to measure alpha and beta radiation.

Gamma Rays: Short wavelength electromagnetic radiation higher in frequency and energy than visible and ultraviolet light. Gamma rays are emitted from the nucleus of an atom. These high energy photons are much more penetrating than alpha and beta particles.

Ion: An atomic particle, atom, or molecule that has acquired an electrical charge, either positive or negative, by gaining or losing electrons.

Ionization: The process by which neutral atoms of molecules are divided into pairs of oppositely charged particles known as ions.

Ionizing Radiation: Radiation capable of producing ionization by breaking up atoms or molecules into charged particles called ions.

Radiation: The emission and propagation of energy through space or through matter in the form of particles or waves.

Roentgen (rent-gen): A basic unit of measurement of the ionization produced in air by gamma or x-rays. One Roentgen (R) is exposure to gamma or x-rays that will produce one electrostatic unit of charge in one cubic centimeter of dry air. One thousand milliroentgen (1,000 mR)= 1R.

Radionuclide: The naturally occurring or artificially produced radioactive form of an element.

Sievert: A unit of dose equivalent. 1 Sv= 100 roentgens, 10 µSv/hr = 1 milliroentgen/hr. (µSv micro-Sievert, micro is one millionth, milli is one thousandth.)

X-Rays: Electromagnetic radiation (photons) of higher frequency and energy than visible and ultraviolet light, usually produced by bombarding a metallic target with high speed electrons in a vacuum. X-rays are photons emitted by interactions involving orbital electrons rather than atomic nuclei. X-rays and gamma rays have the same basic characteristics. The only difference between them is their source of origin.

Smoke Detectors: Some smoke detectors contain a sealed radioactive isotope as part of the smoke sensing mechanism. There is no danger to the individual if the container in sealed. They are labeled.

Camping Lantern Mantles: In recent years this has changed but some lantern mantles are made with radioactive Thorium. Be especially careful not to inhale or ingest the fine ash that is left when they are burned out.

Clocks, Watches, and Timers: Many old timepieces have dials painted with radium to make them glow in the dark. Tritium is now commonly used to obtain the same effect. Tritium is also radioactive but emits low energy radiation which cannot penetrate the lens of the timepiece.

Jewelry: Some gold used to encapsulate radium and radon for medical purposes was improperly reprocessed and entered the market as radioactive rings and other types of gold jewelry. Some imported cloisonn� being glazed with uranium oxide exceeds U.S. limits.

Some gems are irradiated by an electron beam or in an accelerator to enhance their color. Irradiated gems typically are held until there is no residual activity remaining.

Rock Collections: Many natural formations contain radioactive materials. Hobbyists who collect such things should vent the rooms in which these items are stored and be careful to avoid inhaling the fine dust particles from these samples.

Pottery: Some types of pottery are glazed with uranium oxide, such as Fiesta ware. To the best of our knowledge, this process has been discontinued, although some of these pieces are still in circulation.

None of the instruments listed in this website detect neutron, microwave, RF (radio frequency), laser, infrared, or ultraviolet radiation. All of the instruments are most accurate for Cesium 137 and isotopes of similar energies. Some isotopes detected relatively well are Cobalt 60, Technicium 99M, Phosphorous 32, Strontium 90, and many forms of Radium, Plutonium, Uranium, and Thorium.

Some forms of radiation are very difficult or impossible for a Geiger tube to detect. Tritium is a byproduct of a nuclear reactor and is used in research. The beta emissions from Tritium are so weak that there are very few instruments that are capable of detecting it. More sophisticated equipment is needed for the measurement of environmental samples, such as radioactivity in milk, produce, soil, etc., unless you are looking for gross contamination.

The radiation from some isotopes can cause a Geiger tube to overexcite and indicate a higher level of radiation than is actually present. Americium 241 is an example of this phenomenon. Americium 241 is used in some smoke detectors and many different types of industrial density and flow meters.

Unless you know exactly what you are measuring and understand the limitations of detection instruments, it is possible to draw misleading conclusions from your readings. We design our instruments to detect the broadest range of ionizing radiation possible and still be affordable. The full spectrum of ionizing radiation cannot be measured by one single instrument.

Everyone agrees that radioactive materials can be dangerous. We encourage you to seek out other

A Geiger counter senses ionizing radiation by means of a GM (Geiger Mueller) tube. Some tubes have a thin mica window. When a ray or particle of ionizing radiation enters or passes through the tube, it is sensed electronically and displayed on the meter or LCD and by a red count light. When the switch is in the AUDIO position, the instrument will also beep with each radiation event.