Emergency Response Dosimetry System (ERDS)

In partnership with the United States government, industry, and academic partners, GRT is developing the Emergency Response Dosimetry System (ERDS). ERDS is currently in the advanced stages of development and testing. ERDS has the potential to dramatically transform nuclear disaster preparedness and response, long-term radiation exposure research and monitoring, and modernize commercial radiation sterilization processes.

What is ERDS?

ERDS is being developed to be a rapid, self-service, deployable, affordable, point-of-care identification tool that measures an individual’s absorbed cumulative dose of combined neutron/gamma irradiation of 1 +/- 0.25 Gy with high sensitivity and specificity. ERDS measurements provide critical and definitive information in support of public health sorting decisions during and after a nuclear disaster or radiation event.

The ERDS platform’s fundamental capabilities are based on Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) readings of reference-grade alanine dosimetry material. ERDS eliminates most limitations related to difficult-to-access in vivo organic material such as hair, teeth, and fingernails or variably present ex vivo materials such as buttons, cloth, and cell phone components.

ERDS Components

Automated Dosimetry Card (ADC)

The ADC utilizes selected ID cardstock with the addition of embedded reference-grade dosimetric material. Currently, ADCs are being designed using alanine as the embedded material. Alanine is a proven and medically accepted physical dosimetry material with an indefinite lifespan when precisely embedded and laminated within the selected card material. ADCs could be used for the mass production of military IDs, first-responder IDs, company IDs, and personal ID cards.

Automated Dosimetry Reader (ADR)

The ADR is a novel and purpose-built Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) sensor that detects a response in the ADC and relates it to a calibrated radiation dose level. Desktop, field, or kiosk ADRs would be used in hot, warm, or cold zones as portable self-assessment tools. ADRs would display easy-to-understand information while storing and uploading survivor details to the relevant incident command center in near real-time. Both desktop kiosk and ruggedized field versions of the ADR are being developed.

ERDS IT Capabilities

ERDS data and information could be integrated with existing IT infrastructure to provide incident command centers with access to aggregated dose readings and survivor information in near real-time. This would facilitate efficient allocation and maximization of critical scarce resources by subject matter experts. It would also provide a common operating picture and enhanced situational awareness to response managers. These data and geographic information can be linked with and integrated into existing emergency management systems.

Benefits of ERDS

Significantly increase capacity and capability to rapidly sort affected personnel and populations by supporting medical screening, triage, diagnosis, and treatment care.
Reassure those with minimal exposure and support evacuation decisions, personal protection actions, family reunification, and continuity of medical care.
Optimize utilization of medical resources and personnel by directing the efficient and effective administration of medical countermeasures and supportive care.
Immediate post-event measurements will support first responder and military readiness and resilience.
Significant cost and time savings versus the status quo by focusing testing/treating resources to those identified by ERDS as high need.