Nuclear technology has a wide range of applications, including radiopharmaceutical medicine, food safety, materials research, etc. In the application of nuclear technology, the removal of radioactive particulates from exhaust air or gases is essential in preventing dangerous exposure to facility personnel and surrounding communities. Employees are at risk with exposure to low-level ionizing radiation which can cause cancer, serious health risks, and death.

Why is it important to test HEPA filters for leaks?

As a result of the risks of exposure, many of the critical nuclear application sites are designed with containment filtration specifically for control of dangerous particulate radioactive material being generated. These custom containment filtration systems incorporate both HEPA or ULPA filters, to capture radiated particles or pathogens, and gas-phase filters, to capture gaseous vapors.

How are ATI’s products used?

Each HEPA or ULPA filter is required to be individually tested and certified. These filters are tested for both efficiency and leaks when manufactured, and in regulated industries such as nuclear and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, tested in-situ following installation, and routinely thereafter for leaks. What is different about the photometric equipment used in the nuclear industry? The main difference is that the particles contaminated with radiation are contained within a special light scattering chamber and do not expose service technicians to radiation.