Which equipment is essential for detecting surface contamination?

The essential equipment for detecting surface contamination is a survey instrument, which is specifically designed to measure radiation levels and assess contamination on surfaces. These instruments, such as Geiger-Müller counters or scintillation detectors, can identify radioactive materials and quantify their levels on surfaces effectively.

Survey instruments are crucial in environments where radioactive materials are handled, as they provide immediate feedback on contamination levels, allowing for prompt and appropriate decontamination measures to be taken if necessary. Operators can use these devices to scan surfaces, identifying areas with elevated radiation that may pose a risk to health and safety.

Other options, while important in the context of radiation safety, serve different purposes. Personal protective equipment is primarily meant to shield individuals from exposure to radiation, rather than measure contamination. Radiation film badges and portable dosimeters are designed to monitor the dose of radiation received by personnel over time but do not directly indicate the presence of surface contamination. Therefore, the survey instrument is the key tool required specifically for detecting surface contamination.