Pancake probe, radiation

Beta Pancake Probe. The Beta Pancake Probe contains a pancake GM tube and is useful in detecting low energy beta radiation. There is no data available about the accuracy of this probe. 

Radiation detection instruments, including a pancake probe. (a) Instrument in fitted case. 

With no persons to rescue, no fires to fight, and two indications for gamma radiation, the decision is made to extend the exclusion area, particularly downwind, and order an evacuation of those locations within it. The bomb technicians and police tactical members are surveyed with a pancake probe and no radioactive material is found. Fire service HazMat personnel then survey the motorist and his vehicle and detect gamma radiation, indicating that his vehicle and clothing are contaminated. The motorist removes and discards his clothing and is decontaminated by fire service HazMat technicians. He is resurveyed, paying... 

The emergency department (ED) physician s interest is aroused by the injuries that are not explained by the patient s story. He consults the local burn center and discovers that the clinical picture suggests radiation exposure. The ED physician is concerned the patient might present a contamination hazard to the staff and has nuclear medicine personnel check him with a pancake probe. The wounds are positive for gamma radiation. The... 

You must be aware of the limitations of this instrument. Low-range gamma detectors may not detect alpha, beta, neutron, or high-energy gamma radiation. The shield on a beta-gamma detector will have to be open to detect beta radiation. The shield on the pancake probe must also be removed to detect beta radiation. 

Figure 13.5 Monitoring and surveying instruments. These are used to detect spills and stray radiation. Front row, from left ratemeter with low-energy gamma probe ratemeter with pancake probe for beta detection survey meter for gamma and high-energy beta area-survey meter for detecting gamma and x-ray radiation fields. Back row alpha detection probe ratemeter with scalar.

Monitor hands, clothing, shoes, and work area after completion of work with radioiodine. The recommended instrument for I is a thin sodium iodide crystal probe and for I a pancake G-M probe. The unit must be at the workstation and turned on during all use of radioiodine. If any significant contamination is detected during contamination surveys, clean the area with sodium thiosulfate solution. Contact the radiation safety office for any instance of human contamination. 

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