Demand for Nuclear Radiation Testing Instruments in Japan's Nuclear Crisis Rise

According to foreign media reports, the demand for nuclear radiation testing equipment produced by Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), Danaher (DHR), and Mirion Technology Corp. jumped dramatically following the occurrence of tsunami and nuclear leakage in Japan.

Nuclear radiation testing equipment with a large increase in demand is mainly used to detect rescue teams and victims who have long been exposed to the 311 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. The sales results are mainly from companies that want to check for employees in Japan and those who are concerned about nuclear radiation pollution in the nuclear leakage incident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Hot-selling products include the Instadose product from Mirion Technologies Inc. of San Ramon, Calif., valued at $175, with only one computer flash drive in size; Thermo Fisher Scientific's Gamma neutron backpack, valued at $30,000.

At present, some companies that produce nuclear radiation detection equipment have begun to require employees to work overtime and invest a lot of time and energy in the production of related equipment.

Adam Grose, vice president and general manager of the Radiation Measurement and Safety Instrument Division of Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “At present, people’s anxiety is very strong.”

Yesterday, Mr. AdamGrose mentioned in a telephone interview that Thermo Fisher Scientific manufactures high-end equipment for medical imaging, nuclear power industry, etc. In addition, some materials for low-cost equipment are brought to market by partners. . With the emergence of Japan's nuclear reactor problems, Thermo Fisher Scientific and its partners have received many customers' telephone consultations, which is 3 to 4 times as usual.

Ms. Barbara Hulit, president of Fluke Corporation of Danaher, said in an e-mail: “Since the occurrence of the leakage incident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, we have seen a sharp increase in the demand for nuclear radiation measuring instruments in Japan and around the world. Most of them are from professional agencies or professionals in the field of emergencies and radiation safety."

Ms. Corey Walker, director of international marketing of SE, a closed-share company that manufactures radiation detection equipment, said that the SE’s usual daily sales of probe products were 200 units, but sales of such products are now more than double that of usual. All of SE's six production workers have been working overtime. In addition, one of the laid-off workers has been recalled and reinvested in the production work. "The consumer is in a state of panic now and feels fear when he hears radiation," Ms. Corey Walker added.

Mr. CIOThomas Logan, Mirion Technologies, said: "At present, the company has received more and more calls from 'worried citizens'. They are all worried about being exposed to radiation. However, I think there is no evidence that has caused panic."

Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy stated in a statement that the level of radiation environment in the United States has not been affected by the nuclear accident in Japan. Although a trace amount of isotope 133 was detected by a monitoring station in Sacramento, California, and was “consistent” with the substance released by the Fukushima reactor in Japan, the amount of radiation detected was not of concern.

At present, at least a dozen companies have advertised radiation detection equipment on the Internet, and even some of them have found themselves unable to meet market demand. A banner subtitle has even popped up on the SE International website stating that "since the Japanese nuclear crisis and the rapid growth of our company's nuclear radiation measuring instruments, SE International will not accept any individual retail orders."

Brian Carlson, head of radiation safety at Arrow Technologies, North Dakota, said: "Radiometer orders for personal radiation testing are 10 to 20 times more than usual." Meanwhile, Mr. Brian Carlson goes on to say, "Everyone I am very worried about myself being exposed to nuclear radiation. In addition to being sold to individuals in the United States, our company's products are also exported to people living near the Pacific Ocean."

SE International Corey Walker said that she and her colleagues tried to quell people’s inner panic by providing basic knowledge of radiation threats and security. She told U.S. users not to worry too much about Japan’s nuclear radiation, and even they did not need to buy testing equipment for it. "Of course, if they insist on buying, I would recommend them to buy Monitor 4. This is SE International's flagship product, only 325 US dollars, very convenient and practical."