The nuclear crisis in Fukushima has yet to come to an end, and most of the radiation meters out there are expensive and usually sold in special-interest stores only: reason enough for Japan-based chemicals company S.T. Corp decided to bring the so-called Aircounter [JP] to market.
The device, developed in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan University, is essentially a handheld radiation detector that’s cheaper, looks nicer and is easier to use than most radiation detectors out there.
S.T. says they are using their existing distribution channels, i.e. drugstores and similar retailers, to make it easy for potential buyers to get the device (the company’s core business is sales of deodorizers and other products). Starting October 20, the Aircounter will be sold for just $190, which is less than 50% of the price similar counters carry, according to the company.
The device is able to detect radiation levels between 0.05 to 9.99 microsieverts per hour at a height of about 1m above the ground (the process takes about 10 minutes to complete). It’s sized at just 82×62×34mm (LCD: 40mm×25mm), weighs 105g and needs two AAA batteries to run (which are enough for about a month when used daily for one hour).
S.T. expects to sell 50,000 Aircounters in Japan by the end of the year.