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Radiation detection feeling a gas pinch too

Energy sells helium-3 faster than NNSA can collect it. What this means, and why it\'s a problem, is explained for us by GAO\'s Dr. Timothy Persons.

Federal News Network Staff

June 13, 2011 10:08 am

< a min read

wfedstaff | June 4, 2015 7:10 am

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Helium-3 is used at ports and border crossings to sniff out radiation and prevent smuggling of nuclear material into the U.S., but there is a severe shortage of the gas. The Government Accountability Office has reviewed how the Energy Department has been managing the helium-3 inventory, and whether there are alternatives. Joining us with the details of his report is Dr. Timothy Persons, a Chief Scientist at GAO.