Radiation detection field test at the Federal Express (FedEx) air cargo facility at Denver International Airport (DIA)

Amy Waters; Dave Weirup; Howard Hall; Arden Dougan; Dave Trombino; Gary Mattesich; Ethan L. Hull; Sally Bahowick; Alex Loshak; Jeremiah Gruidl

doi:10.1117/12.543314

14 July 2004 Radiation detection field test at the Federal Express (FedEx) air cargo facility at Denver International Airport (DIA)

Amy Waters, Dave Weirup, Howard Hall, Arden Dougan, Dave Trombino, Gary Mattesich, Ethan L. Hull, Sally Bahowick, Alex Loshak, Jeremiah Gruidl

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5395, Nondestructive Detection and Measurement for Homeland Security II; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.543314
Event: NDE for Health Monitoring and Diagnostics, 2004, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) recently conducted a field-test of radiation detection and identification equipment at the air cargo facility of Federal Express (FedEx) located at Denver International Airport (DIA) over a period of two weeks. Comprehensive background measurements were performed and were analyzed, and a trial strategy for detection and identification of parcels displaying radioactivity was implemented to aid in future development of a comprehensive protection plan. The purpose of this project was threefold: quantify background radiation environments at an air cargo facility; quantify and identify "nuisance" alarms; evaluate the performance of various isotope identifiers deployed in an operational environment. LLNL emplaced a primary screening detector that provided the initial detection of radiation anomalies in near real-time. Once detected, a secondary test location provided capability to perform higher-resolution analysis of the parcels or containers that triggered the primary detector. Two triggered radiation events were observed during the course of this project. Both of the radiation events were determined to be legitimate shipments of radioactive material. The overall effect of this project on FedEx operations and personnel was deemed to be minimal.

Citation Download Citation

Amy Waters, Dave Weirup, Howard Hall, Arden Dougan, Dave Trombino, Gary Mattesich, Ethan L. Hull, Sally Bahowick, Alex Loshak, and Jeremiah Gruidl "Radiation detection field test at the Federal Express (FedEx) air cargo facility at Denver International Airport (DIA)", Proc. SPIE 5395, Nondestructive Detection and Measurement for Homeland Security II, (14 July 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.543314

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available