Certainly I own one. And I do check things out sometimes. Especially produce
that we buy on farmer's markets, etc.
Using it requires some degree of technical knowledge, bit nothing that
cannot be learned in about 15 minutes.
For me, NOT testing what you eat is strange, but opinions differ.

Sasha.


"Steve Hay" > wrote in message
news:QoKvd.4444$lZ6.1245@trnddc02...
> Derek wrote:
>> On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 23:11:19 +0100, Dada wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Please, pardon my ignorance, but...do you own one of it? and how do
>>>you use it? I mean, it sound to me like a difficult thing to use.
>>>Don't know, it's a little strange to test what you eat and what you
>>>drink before using it...
>>
>>
>> Their complexity depends on the model.
>>
>> There's a Russian model on eBay right now that simply tells you if
>> you're ok or if you're in trouble. Some will actually measure the
>> amount of radiation.
>>
>> In its simplest form, you turn it on and point it at the object of
>> study. If it makes a click (or a beep) every once in a while, you're
>> safe. If it clicks A LOT and CONSTANTLY, you've got a problem.
>>
>> I used a Geiger counter as part of my laboratory checks when I was
>> assigned the task of "radiation safety monitor." And it was frequently
>> used to check the outside of packaging containing radioactive material
>> to see if anything had leaked in transit.
>>
>> Ah, those were the days. Toxic chemicals and radioactivity all around
>> me.
>
> In terms of alphas specifically, I'd say under the threshold of detection
> is the way to be. Alphas are nasty things to be eating.