Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique that allows them to assess radiation exposure in about an hour using an insulator material found in most modern electronics. The technique can be used to triage medical cases in the event of a radiological disaster.
“If there is a large radiological event in a populated area, it would be difficult or impossible to treat everyone who could potentially have acute radiation syndrome,” says Robert Hayes, an associate professor of nuclear engineering at NC State and first author of a paper on the work. “You’d need to be able to figure out who was exposed to enough radiation to require treatment.”
The approach relies on testing crystalline insulators found in everything from thumb drives to smartphones. Because the technique is high-throughput, accurate and precise, it can adequately assess an individual’s exposure in about an hour, Hayes says. Prior methods can take weeks.
“Given that health providers have a one- to two-week window to start treating victims of acute radiation syndrome, the technique should be sufficient to identify which patients require the necessary care,” Hayes says. “It could not only identify individual cases of acute radiation syndrome, but also help authorities determine which geographic areas received the most radiation.
“But it’s not just about identifying those that require care,” Hayes says. “For example, our technique might have been useful in a place like Fukushima, for putting people’s minds at ease. It’s like having your own personal radiation detector.”
The technique requires the insulator to be removed from its electronic device and cleaned. The sample is then placed in a thermally stimulated luminescence reader, which collects spectra relating to the number of electrons found in the flaws inherent to the sample’s crystalline structure. That spectral data is then fed into a custom algorithm that calculates the sample’s radiation exposure.
“This technique requires specialized equipment and expertise, so it’s not something most locales would have on hand,” Hayes says. “But labs like mine could run the tests and provide the authorities with good data very quickly. In addition to NC State, I know there’s another lab with relevant expertise and infrastructure at Oklahoma State University, and one in Denmark, though there are likely others.
“Hopefully, this technique won’t be necessary for a long time, if ever. But we think it’s important to develop these tools before they are needed.”
Learn more: New Technique Offers Rapid Assessment of Radiation Exposure
The Latest on: Radiation exposure
[google_news title=”” keyword=”radiation exposure” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Radiation exposure
- Lujan Grisham and other Western governors call on Congress to expand compensation for downwinderson May 8, 2024 at 2:31 am
A letter signed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is garnering more support from several other Western governors calling on Congress to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, ...
- House Speaker Mike Johnson called on to pass nuclear weapons reparations for New Mexicanson May 7, 2024 at 8:58 pm
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) passed in 1990 to fund federal payments to those who could prove their health was impacted by weapons testing but did not include reparations for New ...
- American Aires Inc. Executing a Strategy To Increase Exposure And Drive Saleson May 7, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Scientific studies have shown that EMF radiation exposure can lead to brain inflammation, tissue damage, and the development of various diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions. This ...
- Ohioans affected by Piketon Atomic Plant may soon get compensation as Senators push for RECA amendmenton May 7, 2024 at 11:56 am
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has announced his support for an amendment to the Federal Aviation Act that would allow residents from several zip codes across Pike and Scioto County, who became ill ...
- Senator backs plan to compensate Ohioans exposed to radiationon May 7, 2024 at 9:44 am
Ohioans played a large role when it came to atomic weapons during the Cold War. An area in Pike and Scioto counties was used to store radioactive material and enrich uranium. The 1990 Radiation ...
- Atomic vets may lose their federal benefits. Sen. Josh Hawley is pushing Congress to helpon May 7, 2024 at 7:00 am
Veterans who helped test nuclear weapons are fighting to renew a 34-year-old law meant to help compensate for the long-term health effects of their work. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley has spotlighted ...
- States want compensation for radiation exposure from nuclear plantson April 29, 2024 at 1:31 pm
A Knoxville-based environmental group is advocating for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expansion currently awaiting House approvalIt would provide compensation to more states ...
- What causes radiation sickness, know its symptoms and causeson April 27, 2024 at 4:19 am
Radiation sickness, also known as acute radiation syndrome (ARS), is a severe condition that arises from exposure to high levels of ionizing..|News Track ...
- Lawmakers push to renew, expand Radiation Exposure Compensation Acton April 24, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Fox News anchor Bret Baier reports on the effort to expand legislation to compensate individuals exposed to chemicals from the Manhattan Project on 'Special Report.' ...
- Novel Oral Synthetic Genistein Nanosuspension May Protect Against Negative Effects Of Radiation Therapy In Lung Canceron April 20, 2024 at 8:12 am
BIO 300 use led to reduced levels of a proinflammatory/profibrotic cytokine associated with lung injury from radiation therapy. BIO 300 did not interfere with the pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy, did ...
via Bing News