FoodGuard-1 Food Screening System Based on NaI(Tl) Detectors
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The ORTEC FoodGuard-1 Sodium Iodide Food Screening system is designed for the rapid screening of foodstuffs, both solids and liquids, for radioactive isotope contamination. Primarily designed for "front line" response for food producers, traders, import, and export agencies, etc., FoodGuard-1 is an out of the box solution developed specifically to get your up and testing samples in a matter of minutes.
- High efficiency counting and easy sample loading using 3” x 3” NaI detector in bench-top lead shield.
- Simple to assemble with USB connected digiBASE that contains all required electronics: miniaturized preamplifier and detector high voltage with powerful digital signal processing and multichannel analyzer.
- Intuitive software display, high degree of automation and results storage or printing.
- Clear results with calculations such as percentage of maximum permitted concentration (MPC).
- Immediate feedback with audible alarms to warn of sample activities that exceed a user-set percent of MPC limit.
- Light enough to be transported to the place of use, such as a port for food market.
- Supplied pre-calibrated and ready to use with sample containers and a check source.
FoodGuard-1 may also be used in other counting applications such as radon filter counting, test swipes counting, water monitoring and materials monitoring.
A standard FoodGuard-1 screening system includes:
Download the FoodGuard-1 brochure
FoodGuard-2 High Resolution Germanium Gamma Spectroscopy Workstation for Quantitative Determination of Radionuclides in Food
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The FoodGuard-2 workstation is an out-of-the-box system to meet the needs of agencies needing to accurately quantify the levels of radionuclides in food. By the use of a high resolution high purity germanium (HPGe) detector, each and every gamma-emitting radionuclide in the sample may be quantified in terms of specific activity in Bq/kilogram or Bq/liter. Designed specifically for agricultural monitoring, FoodGuard-2 presents an intuitive software interface to move you from test setup to clear results quickly.
- Complete, out-of-the-box solution designed specifically for measuring gamma ray emitting radioactive contaminants in food and water.
- Simple and interactive user interface to increase efficiency and decrease error.
- Editable activity limits tables derived from international standards for permissible radiation levels in food.
- Configurable alarms activated when activity level, percentage, or sum of activities is exceeded.
- Professional and customizable reports, in HTML and PDF format, for easy sharing and archiving of results.
- Supplied pre-calibrated with a 40K check source and 2-liter Marinelli beakers.
- Operator selectable calibration files for supporting additional sample containers and geometries.
A complete FoodGuard-2 workstation includes:
Download the FoodGuard-2 brochure
Optional Add-ons for Expanding Your Food Monitoring System
Guideline Levels of Radioactivity in Food and Water
CODEX GENERAL STANDARD FOR CONTAMINANTS AND TOXINS IN FOOD AND FEED CODEX STAN 193-1995
Guideline levels for radioactive contamination appear on page 33. The Codex Alimentarius Commission was created in 1963 by FAO1 and WHO2 to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
Methods
Food Monitoring Note - Radioactivity and its Measurements in Foodstuffs
This note gives examples of the types of radiation found in foodstuffs, the possible sources of contamination and how to be prepared to deal with them.
Measurement of Radionuclides in Food and the Environment
This food monitoring guide was published by the IAEA in 1989 in the aftermath of Chernobyl. It is sadly, out of print. The guide provides a wealth of information regarding methods, sample preparation and so on. While the equipment shown is dated the other information is very useful.
Benefits of Using Super Large Germanium Gamma Ray Detectors for the Quantitative Determination of Environmental Radionuclides
An experimental comparison of a number of large and super-large HPGe gamma-ray spectrometers demonstrates that, from the standpoint of either sample throughput or detection limit, the largest detectors provide a benefit greater than what might be expected from just their higher efficiency. At a given MDA — one 90% efficiency detector can count as many samples as four 30% efficiency detectors. Alternatively, one 90% detector, while processing the same number of samples as three 30% detectors, can achieve a significantly lower MDA on each sample. These advantages are tangible ones for the environmental spectroscopist, because larger detectors cost less per percent efficiency than smaller detectors.
Emergency Monitoring of Population
The HMLs New Field Deployable High Resolution Whole Body Counter
This paper describes the use of the ORTEC Detective as an emergency whole body counter. It provides calibration data which could be used to get started quickly.
Novel Rapid Bioassay Gamma Screening Technique
This paper provides further details on the use and performance of the ORTEC GammaScreen 8 system, and was written by the developers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA. USA.
Field Deployable High Resolution Urine Gamma Scanner
The intent of the field deployable gamma urine counter is to a) identify radionuclide mixtures being excreted and b) estimate internal dose quickly to assess persons at immediate risk.
Guidelines for the Restriction of Radioactively Contaminated Food and Water Following a Nuclear Emergency
Canadian Guidelines for the Restriction of Radioactively Contaminated Food and Water Following a Nuclear Emergency
This document was published by Canada’s Minister of Public Works and Government Services in 2000. Its purpose is to guide emergency response organizations at the federal and provincial levels on decisions concerning the withdrawal and substitution of contaminated food and water.
European Union - Safety of Food Products Imported from Japan: Questions and Answers
1Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
2World Health Organisation of the United Nations.