The Personal Radiation Detector

The GammaRAE II is a gamma radiation detector designed for first responders, but hey, it’ll come in handy if you never use it. Features include fast two second response as well as certified intrinsic safety for use in hazardous environments and the ability to be immersed in water for decontamination. The detection instrument, the GammaRAE II, detects gamma radiation at extremely low levels and is designed to alert first responders to the presence of radioactive material and aid in the capture of illicit "dirty bomb" materials. Designed as a front-line security device, this product provides life-critical, real-time detection of hidden radiation sources and delivers instantaneous feedback to law enforcement personnel including municipal police departments, border check-point personnel, hazmat teams, fire fighters and cargo port screeners. At US$995 it just might be a big seller this holiday and gift-giving period.

RAE Systems, a developer and manufacturer of rapidly-deployable, multi-sensor chemical and radiation detection monitors and networks for homeland security and industrial applications, has launched of a personal radiation detector (PRD) that is certified as intrinsically safe.

Intrinsically safe devices are specifically designed and certified to be safe to use in hazardous environments. This feature is critical for first responders working in unknown environmental conditions. The detection instrument, the GammaRAE II, detects gamma radiation at extremely low levels and is designed to alert first responders to the presence of radioactive material and aid in the capture of illicit "dirty bomb" materials. Designed as a front-line security device, this product provides life-critical, real-time detection of hidden radiation sources and delivers instantaneous feedback to law enforcement personnel including municipal police departments, border check-point personnel, hazmat teams, fire fighters and cargo port screeners.

"The threat of radiation exposure, whether by weapons, nuclear materials, or medical waste is always present. This instrument has intrinsic safety certification for Class 1, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D hazardous area classifications," said Rudy Mui, vice president of marketing for RAE Systems. "This certification is critical for first responders, HAZMAT teams, firemen, and law enforcement, and this is the only product of this type on the market that has intrinsic safety certification."

Being certified intrinsically safe for Class 1, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D means that the GammaRAE II will not initiate an explosion in environments where flammable gases, vapors or liquids containing acetylene, hydrogen, ethylene, propane or derivatives of those chemicals are present. This is important for responding to incidents at chemical and industrial facilities, as well as other locations where these chemicals might be used or stored.

The GammaRAE II is designed for use in rough environments. It is immersible (IP-67) in water, for easy decontamination, and a concussion-proof case provides shock protection if the detector is dropped. The two-button operation is designed for use even in Level A protection suits with two layers of gloves.

The GammaRAE II features a fast, two-second response time. This is critical when searching for a radioactive source and is a much faster and more sensitive response than those typically seen in dosimeters. The GammaRAE II also has multiple alarm modes with bright flashing LEDs and loud audible and vibration alerts. Alarm modes can be set to operate in "Search Mode" based on local background radiation levels or "Safety Mode" providing high and low alarm levels based on absolute dose rates.

The intrinsically safe GammaRAE II is available from today for US$995.00.