Metal Recycling

Guarding against radioactive sources poses a real challenge to metal recycling facilities, scrap yards, landfills, and foundries throughout the world. Despite efforts of governments to keep close tabs on all man-made radioactive sources, the reality is that there are thousands of known loose (orphan) sources. Given the ubiquitous nature of radiation as an effective tool in industry, medicine, research, electricity generation etc., as well as naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), the likelihood of encountering orphan radiation sources is high. Since recycling and waste loads that are radioactively contaminated can have severe health and economic impacts, it is important for these businesses to ensure their facility and workers are kept safe.

Ludlum Measurements offers a wide range of radiation detection equipment to monitor loads entering and being processed by recycling and waste facilities. Monitoring systems such as vehicle portal monitors, conveyor monitors, and area monitors alert the user to the presence of radiation entering or being transported within the facility. Handheld microR (or microSv) survey meters are then used to locate the radiation source within a load. If determining the exact radiation source is necessary, isotope identifiers can be used to locate and accurately identify the isotopes present.