Radiation Detectors to be Deployed at 2008 Olympics

The Chinese government has contracted with ICx Technologies for the company to supply the government with handheld radioisotope identifiers for use at the Beijing Olympics, which begin on August 8th.

ICx Technologies was awarded $2.5 million in contracts to supply identiFINDERs to the Government of China for use at the 2008 Summer Games.

Every identiFINDER is able to rapidly locate, accurately measure and precisely identify sources or contaminations from gamma and neutron radiation. The units are able to differentiate between dangerous radioactive materials, medical and naturally occurring radioisotopes, such as bananas, the company said in a release.

Detailed information on the security steps that have been taken cannot be disclosed, although for past events radiation detection equipment was installed at borders and other entry points into the host country. In Greece, hand-held radiation monitors were distributed to hundreds of security personnel and customs officials. This type of equipment is being deployed to detect radioactive materials that might be used as a weapon by terrorists in a radiological dispersal device, a so-called "dirty bomb".