How to Use the RadNet Near-Real-Time Air Data Dashboard
This quick tutorial explains how to use the RadNet Near-Real-Time Air Data Dashboard.
On this page:
Tutorial
View this quick tutorial video for how to use the RadNet Near-Real-Time Air Data Dashboard.
You can also view these quick written instructions How To Use the RadNet Near-Real-Time Air Data Dashboard (pdf) .
Dashboard Definitions
Monitor Location: Use the pull-down menu to select the monitor location.
Monitor Capabilities: All RadNet stations measure gamma radiation emitted from airborne radioactive particles as they collect on the monitor's filter. You can view these results on the Gamma Gross Count Rate graph. Some RadNet monitors also measure exposure rate, which indicates the level of gamma radiation in the vicinity of the monitor. You can view graphs of these results both as Gamma Exposure (EXP) Rate and as converted to Dose Equivalent Rate.(Note: EPA is adding Gamma Exposure Rate capability to all stations as monitors undergo repair. All monitoring stations will eventually have Gamma Exposure Rate measurement.)
Date Range: Click on the calendars to select the beginning and ending dates of the monitoring results. The maximum date range stretches from 90 days ago to the current day. To view older data, you can download data from the RadNet Database in EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX).
Gamma Exposure (EXP) Rate: This rate is an indicator of the level of radiation in an area. It is defined as the measure of the ionization produced in air by gamma rays per unit of time. RadNet reports Gamma Exposure Rate in the U.S. unit of milliRoentgen per hour (mR/h).
The tab to the right of the Gamma Exposure Rate displays Dose Equivalent Rate, which can be interpreted as an estimate of a person's radiation dose rate if they were standing in the vicinity of the monitor. Dose Equivalent Rate is defined as the amount of radiation absorbed by an object or person per unit of time, adjusted to account for the type of radiation received and the effect on particular organs. RadNet reports Dose Equivalent Rate in the international unit of nanosieverts per hour (nSv/h) for easy comparison with international monitoring stations. For exposure rate and effective dose rate can be compared as follows--one (1) milliRoentgen per hour (mR/h) is approximately equal to 10,000 nanosieverts per hour (nSV/h). To learn about typical dose rates, see About Exposures and Dose Rates.
Gamma Gross Count (GGC) Rate: This is a measurement of the gamma radiation emitted from particulates collected on each monitor's air filter. Scientists can use gamma gross count data to detect anomalies and track trends.