Of all nuclear decay products that may foreseeably be released into the environment, alpha particles present the highest overall risk to life. However, no detection system is in place capable of quantifying wide-scale contamination that could lead to emission of this type of radiation. For incidents such as terrorist attacks or transportation accidents, the best emergency response currently is evacuation. Also, area monitoring using handheld devices is inaccurate, slow, and places emergency service personnel at risk.

The project has developed optical systems capable of remotely detecting and quantifying wide-scale contamination by alpha particles. Novel methods based on air radio-luminescence have been developed, including prototype mobile systems able to map alpha radiation levels in real-time. Aerial monitoring systems using drones were developed and evaluated, and the feasibility of a laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopic method studied. Engagement with relevant standards-making, radiation protection and industry bodies will follow. The measurement infrastructure developed in the project will, thereafter, help surveillance systems to provide rapid, coordinated and effective responses to emergencies involving dispersion of alpha-emitting radionuclides in the environment.

Emergency teams may then be more precisely guided to people affected, while the scale of evacuations can be aligned more closely to risks of harm.