C620 Intro to Radiation Detection Flashcards
What is radiation?
energy in motion, in the form of particles and/or electromagnetic waves.
Has enough energy to strip atoms and molecules from the tissue.
Ionizing
Does not have enough energy to alter chemical bonds within substances or the human body.
Non-ionizing
The most commonly used unit for measuring radiation dose i.e., the amount of energy you absorb)
Rem
One one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a rem.
Millirem
One one-millionth (1/1,000,000) of a rem.
Microrem
What is a Dose?
The amount of biological damage (health effects) produced by radiation
What is a Dose Rate?
The rate at which you receive the radiation dose over a period of time
What does ALARA stand for?
As Low As Reasonable Achievable
What are the 3 techniques of ALARA?
Time, distance, shielding
What is the purpose of the CBP Radiation
Detection Program?
To detect and prevent illicit radioactive materials from entering the United States or from being moved away from the border areas within the United States.
How does CBP measure Radiation dose rates?
There are many ways of measuring radiation, but CBP uses rem (R), millirem (mR), and microrem (uR).
What are the CBP occupational dose limits?
Not more than 100 mR/year and not more than 50 uR/hour
Improvised Nuclear Devices (INDs)
Use nuclear materials and require sophisticated skills to build.
Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDDs)
or “dirty bombs,” use conventional explosives or alternative dispersal devices along with radiological materials.
Radiological Exposure Device (REDs)
Radiation exposure devises utilize a hidden sealed source. The aim is to expose a unsuspecting victims) to radiation over time.
_____ pose the greatest risk to CBP
RDD’s (dirty bomb)
CBP uses three different radiation detection devices to screen for radiation at ports of entry:
- Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM)
- Personal Radiation Detectors (PRD)
- RadSeeker
Who must be contacted for all neutron alerts?
LSS-TC
What type of radiological device are terrorists most likely to use?
An RDD (also known as a dirty bomb).
It does not require as much technical knowledge or resources as an improvised nuclear device
(IND), but the psychological effect would be as great.
What are some examples of commercial products which emit normal radiation?
Ceramic tiles, bananas, kitty litter, potash, etc.
What are the 4 principles of the Radiation
Detection Program Directive?
- All officers issued a PRD are required to carry it while on duty (2.4 and 2.5).
- Detain person or item when alarm is activated. (6.1.4)
- Verify the alarm and locate the source (6.1.5)
- All alerts must be resolved per CBP Radiation
Directive (6.1.3)
What is the required procedure for a neutron alert?
-Determine the source
-confirm the source
-SIN
-contact LSS-TC.
While there are some very rare pieces of legitimate equipment that contain sources that emit neutrons, CBP never assumes legitimacy without documentation and concurrence from LSS-TC.
