In the Field Feasibility of a Simple Method to Check for Radioactivity in Commodities and in the Environment

Abstract

Introduction:Some release of radionuclides into the environment can be expected from the growing number of nuclear plants, either in or out of service. The citizen and the big organization could be both interested in simple and innovative methods for checking the radiological safety of their environment and of commodities, starting from foods.Methods:In this work three methods to detect radioactivity are briefly compared focusing on the most recent, which converts a smartphone into a radiation counter.Results:The results of a simple sensitivity test are presented showing the measure of the activity of reference sources put at different distances from each sensor.Discussion:The three methods are discussed in terms of availability, technology, sensitivity, resolution and usefulness. The reported results can be usefully transferred into a radiological emergency scenario and they also offer some interesting implication for our current everyday life, but show that the hardware of the tested smart-phone can detect only high levels of radioactivity. However the technology could be interesting to build a working detection and measurement chain which could start from a diffused and networked first screening before the final high resolution analysis.

The Evaluation of Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) in Smartphone to Test X-Ray Tube Radiation Leakage

“…It concludes from this research that Radioactivity Counter can measured radiation without any additional hardware at the dose rates higher than 10 μGy/h [23]. The relation between cpm and dose rate was confirmed to be linear due to previous research [20], [21], [23]. Previous iPhone model (4, 4s, 6), iPod, iPad and various android based smartphone models have been tested in previous research [19]- [25].…”

“…The finding was the counts (cps) were linear to the dose rate (mSv/hr) [20]. Alessandri (2017) in his research of finding the simple method of radioactivity detection in commodities and environment using smartphone-based application to check radioactivity. The finding was smartphone was able to detect radiation in certain condition such as emergency [21].…”

“…Alessandri (2017) in his research of finding the simple method of radioactivity detection in commodities and environment using smartphone-based application to check radioactivity. The finding was smartphone was able to detect radiation in certain condition such as emergency [21]. Mafodda and Woda (2020) tested various model of smartphone to find the dynamic range, energy dependence, and angular response and find that the energy response study might contributed to calibration factor of each model.…”

The suitability of smartphone camera sensors for detecting radiation

“…The other smartphones exhibit different CMOS sensitivity for different systems of the same type 12 . Alessandri 18 assessed the use of three smartphones (Samsung S4, Samsung S7, and Samsung A3) for radiation detection with different radiation sources (Na-22, Zn-65, and Cs-137). The study reported that the smartphones responded contrarily to radiation.…”