Fact Sheet

Date issued: May 2008
Last reviewed: June 2013

Radiation Detection Equipment at Canada's Marine Ports

The Government of Canada takes advantage of the best available science and technology to develop tools to help prevent contraband and dangerous goods from entering Canada.

The equipment

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) uses two main tools to detect radiation in a marine container: radiation detection portals and carborne units. These tools each have specific functions that complement one another to detect radiation. This equipment does not emit radiation – it only detects radiation and is completely safe for employees to use.

A radiation detection portal is a set of two four-metre-high panels that are anchored to the ground and placed wide enough apart for a container to pass through. When a container is taken off a vessel, it is placed on a transport vehicle and driven through the portal. This automated screening system can quickly scan cargo containers to determine if radiation is present and, if so, the level of radiation detected. The size and position of the portals allow a large number of containers to be screened while ensuring the smooth operation and security of the port.

The carborne unit is a mobile screening system that is mounted onto the roof of a vehicle capable of detecting the precise types and levels of radiation present. The unit can be used during the secondary examination of a container. If a container is selected for a carborne scan, it does not mean that the contents are emitting dangerous radiation; it only means that further analysis is needed to check the contents of the container.

The network

A state-of-the-art communications network allows the information gathered from the radiation detection equipment to be transferred in real time to the National Risk Assessment Centre (NRAC) for analysis. NRAC, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, evaluates the data and determines if additional steps need to be taken. Should NRAC require further assistance, the CBSA's Laboratory and Scientific Services Directorate (LSSD) is available to provide immediate analysis of the data from the on-site equipment. Scientists and engineers at the LSSD have specialized training in radiation protection and gamma spectroscopy.

Working with partners for a safe Canada

Through careful planning and consultations, radiation detection portals are strategically positioned at the earliest point of entry to screen virtually 100 per cent of incoming containers to Canadian ports without interrupting port operations.

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