1 Introduction
The Inspector is a health and safety instrument that is optimized to detect low
levels of radiation. It measures alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Its
applications include:
•Detecting and measuring surface contamination
•Monitoring possible radiation exposure while working with radionuclides
•Screening for environmental contamination
•Detecting noble gases and low energy radionuclides
How the Inspector Detects Radiation
The Inspector uses a Geiger-Mueller tube to detect radiation. The Geiger tube
generates a pulse of electrical current each time radiation passes through the
tube and causes ionization. Each pulse is electronically detected and registers
as a count. The Inspector displays the counts in the mode you choose:
counts per minute (CPM), milliroentgens per hour (mR/hr), or total counts. In
SI units, counts per second (CPS) and microsieverts per hour (µSv/hr) are
used.
The number of counts detected by the Inspector varies from minute to minute
due to the random nature of radioactivity. A reading is expressed more
accurately as an average over time, and the average is more accurate over a
longer time period.
Precautions
To keep the Inspector in good condition, handle it with care, and observe the
following precautions:
•Do not contaminate the Inspector by touching it to radioactive surfaces or
materials. If contamination is suspected, you can replace the rubber strips
above and below the rear label with the extra strips supplied with the
Inspector.
•Do not leave the Inspector in temperatures over 100°F (38°C) or in direct
sunlight for extended periods of time.
•Do not get the Inspector wet. Water can damage the circuitry and the
coating of the mica surface of the Geiger tube.
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