Radiation exposure, in most circumstances, is at low levels and is not harmful to people and the surrounding environment. Radiation is not just a by-product from man-made devices but it is also found in nature.. Natural occurring infrared and visible light contain levels of electromagnetic radiation generated from the Earth’s natural magnetic field. Even volcanoes which are active, will release high levels of thermal radiation when they erupt. The term ‘radiation’ was defined by scientists in the late 1800s and early 1900s which led to the creation of X-Rays as well as the discovery of uranium and radium. After many other discoveries, scientific community categorized radiation into non-ionizing and ionizing radiation. Radiation exposure from non-ionizing poses low risks while ionizing radiation poses higher risk of detrimental effects to people. Both types of radiation should be monitored on a regular basis to prevent overexposure which can cause harm.

Non-ionizing radiation is used in a variety of applications including electromagnetic devices, microwaves, radio broadcasts, and thermal heat. Commercially manufactured devices contain shielding in the construction which reduces and eliminates radiation exposure. For example, in a microwave oven a magnetron is used to create microwaves which are transferred to the cooking area to heat and cook food inside the microwave. Thermal radiation is the result of heat that is generated from devices such as light bulbs, electrical heaters and radiators. Ionizing radiation consists of alpha, beta, gamma, X-Ray and neutron sub-categories that cause an increase in radiation levels when not properly monitored. Neutron radiation occurs in nuclear reactors because of high speed or high energy neutrons which give off radiation. Only this type of radiation makes other objects radioactive and can be blocked by shielding which is high in hydrogen, for example water or concrete. The recent nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Nuclear plant in Japan resulted from the catastrophic earthquake off the coast.

The Nuclear plant released high levels of radiation exposure to workers within the plant and to the surrounding communities. The monitoring equipment that records radiation levels in the plant notified workers of the threat as they attempted to prevent all the reactors from going critical. After the disaster, radiation monitoring equipment has been used in the surrounding countries as far as the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, takes daily samples from the atmosphere and rain water collected through RadNet monitoring devices in addition to regular testing of drinking water and milk produced in high risk areas. The International Atomic Energy Agency has also provided monitoring devices and equipment to Japan in order to monitor the fallout from this disaster and try to limit exposure risks. Universal Detection Technology, www.udetection.com, provides solutions for people and organizations to monitor and limit radiation exposure. The company has been providing detection technology products for radiological, biological, and chemical fields. Universal Detection Technology’s detection products have been used by Homeland Security, the Port Authority, Transportation Security Administration, as well as individuals concerned with monitoring radiation exposure.

Universal Detection Technology provides radiation detectors to nuclear plants, government agencies and local agencies as well as to the general public for personal use. The company has over thirty years of experience in air monitoring as well as providing detection solutions for chemical, biological and radiological weapons. For further information about radiation monitoring solutions, visit our website at www.udetection.com or call us at 310-248-3655.