{"id":1618,"date":"2019-08-19T16:17:45","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T21:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/projects\/?p=1618"},"modified":"2020-05-08T17:51:43","modified_gmt":"2020-05-08T22:51:43","slug":"remote-radiation-monitoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/projects\/2019\/08\/remote-radiation-monitoring.html","title":{"rendered":"Remote Radiation Monitoring"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Radiation is the transmission of energy through space in the form of a particle or wave. These can be generated by instruments or produced naturally. One of the most common uses of radiation is from radionuclides, or radioactive isotopes, that release radiation during decay, or degradation. These radioactive materials are often used for cancer therapy, research, and energy production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The danger radiation exposure poses to humans can be quite significant, as it’s both invisible and the effects may not be immediately noticeable. Couple that with the growing number of nuclear power plants being built and the fact governments and corporations have not always being forthcoming about the details of radioactive release incidents (e.g. the Chernobyl nuclear disaster), having the ability to detect radiation levels may prove useful for detecting a radioactive release before the public is notified or verifying publicly-released dose information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I spent a while working as an R1 university radiation safety specialist, where I acquired many great skills and experiences, which included handling radioisotopes, monitoring human exposure (dosimetry), overseeing the proper disposal of radioisotopes, and participating in first-responder training and exercises that prepared me and my team in the event of a radiological release or an incident with a radiological dispersal device (dirty bomb). These experiences led me to appreciate the power of radiation and the risks associated with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the Fukushima radiation release, many hobbyists began implementing radiation monitoring systems to track the global spread of radiation that emanated from Japan. Some of these projects lead to public monitoring programs that still operate today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Device Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below is how I implemented a remote radiation monitor that relays radiation levels to two public radiation maps, Safecast<\/a> and Geiger Counter World Map<\/a>, for a total cost of approximately $150 (minus the cost of the LoRaWAN gateway). More details can be found here<\/a> if you would like to implement your own radiation monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My requirements for the monitoring system: <\/p>\n\n\n\n