Which type of radiation survey meter is appropriate for an incident involving radium-236?

The appropriate type of radiation survey meter for an incident involving radium-236 is the proportional counter. Proportional counters are particularly effective in detecting and measuring beta and alpha radiation, as well as low-energy gamma radiation. Radium-236 is a radioactive isotope that can emit alpha particles and gamma rays, making the proportional counter a suitable choice due to its ability to accurately measure these types of emissions.

Proportional counters have a greater sensitivity than Geiger counters for lower energy radiation and can discriminate between different types of radiation based on the energy of the radiation detected. This is crucial when dealing with specific radionuclides like radium-236, where understanding the energy levels of the emitted radiation can inform safety measures and response protocols.

In contrast, while Geiger counters can detect radiation, they may not provide the level of quantitative data or specificity required for certain types of radioactive materials, especially for lower energy emissions. Ionization meters also have their applications but are generally used for higher energy radiation detection and may not be as effective with the specific emission spectra from radium-236. Scintillation detectors are excellent for a wide range of radionuclides but are primarily used for detecting gamma radiation and may not be as precise in characterizing alpha emissions when compared