Answer to Question #8997 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"
Category: Homeland Security
The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:
Is it permitted to fly with a Geiger counter (Gamma-Scout) in the cabin of a commercial aircraft? I am flying the polar route to Scotland from Seattle this summer and want to see what the readings will be. I have not found any restrictions so far in the United States or on the German or Scottish websites, but want to be sure.
There are no restrictions on hand-carrying of electronic
equipment such as video cameras, calculators, laptops, or Geiger counters, as
far as I know. I have carried Geiger counters in my hand-carried luggage for
over 20 years. The Transportation Security Administration often wants these
items separated for x-ray screening inspection. I would normally recommend
that a probe-type GM (Geiger-Mueller) detector be disconnected and batteries be
removed from the case. Since the Gamma-Scout has no probe, this cannot be done.
Also, the Gamma-Scout has no ON/OFF switch, so it cannot be turned off.
However, I would want to be sure that the sound speaker is turned off. Clicking
Geiger counters tend to make people nervous.
I would like to also offer a couple other caveats about the Gamma-Scout. It is
calibrated for cobalt-60 high-energy gamma rays (average 1.25 MeV) and may not
read accurately at any other energy, either higher or lower. Also, Geiger counters
are best suited for measuring beta particles and typically are not very
sensitive to gamma or cosmic radiation (especially since the Gamma-Scout has a
very small GM tube). Because of energy differences and low detector
sensitivity, I would not take readings for cosmic radiation too literally. The
detector may be used to compare relative readings (such as from ground surface
to high altitude), but the absolute readings may be quite different if measured
with a detector better suited to such measurements.
Also, despite the manufacturer’s claims, the Gamma-Scout will not be able to
measure radon at all, for many reasons.
Since the Gamma-Scout will allow you to review exposure history, I would also
suggest that you NOT take it out to observe readings in flight. Neither flight
crews nor other passengers would likely understand that they are exposed to
larger amounts of cosmic radiation with altitude. If anyone thinks you are
measuring radiation on board the airplane, that could be grounds for a jet-fighter-escorted landing. I assume you may not have an interest in making news
headlines.
The Gamma-Scout website also provides answers to a number of questions.
Ray Johnson, MS, PE, FHPS, CHP