Mobile radiological unit

Medical x-rays provided one of the first applications of radioisotopes. In 1914, the wounded from World War 1 were pouring into Paris hospitals. Marie Curie converted a Renault car into the first mobile radiological unit and drove it from hospital to hospital. Radioisotopes are now widely used in medicine to diagnose, study, and treat illness. A physician can determine, for example, how and at what rate the thyroid gland takes up iodine by using iodine-131 as a radioactive tracer and cobalt-60 is used to kill rapidly growing cancer cells. 

In order to achieve harmonisation of equipment and comparability of radiological data being obtained from field measurements, it is necessary to have general guidelines available for designing mobile radiological units, taking into account different scenarios and tasks to be achieved. 

When designing a mobile radiological unit one has to take into account different scenarios and tasks. Options for the design of mobile radiological units include satellite, helicopter, boat, train, truck, car, robots, portable devices. 

Taking into account the underlying basics, a mobile radiological unit for monitoring food and environmental samples should in the first instance have following components ... 

Laid the foundation for radiation therapy for treatment of cancer contributed to World War 1 efforts by setting up radiology units in clinics and hospitals throughout Paris and developing X-ray techniques used in mobile units called petit curies in the field. 

Colonel George D. Rich served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps. He is now a retired colonel, but up to his ears in work as Deputy Assistant Director for Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense, Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. 

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