New technology is being used to scan unopened intermodal shipping containers at U.S. borders, ports and military installations for radiation emissions from “dirty bombs.”

Twenty-four of the specially equipped, $2 million trucks are being used in the United States, according to published reports. The trucks approach one end of a container, extend a giant arm over and partway down the other side of the container, then move forward slowly as X-ray images of the container’s contents are displayed on a video screen. In a recent demonstration for government officials, the truck sounded an alarm when it detected radiation emitted from a particle the size of an M&M.
Officials with the manufacturer of the special trucks say the procedure is faster than a physical inspection so it doesn’t slow down the flow of traffic at the borders, and does not harm the driver of the truck pulling the container.
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