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Carry one of these radiation detectors.[1] It will emit loud beeps if hit by an X-ray beam. This is a scanned spot beam system, so the exposure is short but easily measurable.

AS&E offers the system (which is rather large) in two models of Mercedes Sprinter vans and a Ford 550 for off-road use. This thing has been around for almost a decade; they recently came out with a new van, but it's apparently the same backscatter hardware.

It's a very short range technology. For cargo container or vehicle inspection, they need separate scanning units for both sides and the top. Even for scanning people, both sides have to be scanned separately. It's not suitable for looking into houses.

But if you think something is a bomb, it's a good way to get a quick look. Because it can identify different elements, explosives really stand out.

[1] http://www.amazon.com/NukAlertTM-radiation-detector-keychain...




Wow, that's a bit pricey but very interesting. I'd love to snag one, thanks for the link.


I wonder what would happen if those vans would need to be clearly labelled as radiation-emitting devices.

My impression is a lot of people are 'o.k.' with this because the vans are unmarked and the radiation invisible...




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