Q: Can I use your instruments to measure radiation emitted by the cell phones?
A: No, you can't. Cell phones emanate electromagnetic radiation of radiofrequency range, while "ECOTEST" trademark instruments measure ionizing radiation.
Q: How can I sense radiation?
A: It is impossible to sense radiation. Only the dosimeters will help to find out about the level of radiation.
Q: What is the radiation background?
A: Radiation background is the low level radioactive emanation. It comes from the outer space (cosmic), and the ground (terrestrial) under natural conditions of the atmosphere.
Q: What kind of radiation is more harmful: alpha, beta or gamma?
A:  An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, an ionized helium atom. Alpha particles are comparatively large and cannot penetrate much more than a sheet of paper or a few inches of air. But if materials that emit alpha particles are inhaled, ingested or enter your body through a cut in your skin, they can be very harmful.

Beta radiation is a flow of electrons. Beta radiation obtains higher permeability and penetrates organism tissues at the depth of 1-2 cm. It cannot be stopped by a sheet of paper. Some beta particles can be stopped by human skin, but some need a thicker shield (like wood) to stop them. Just like alpha particles, beta particles can also cause serious damage to your health if they are inhaled or swallowed.

Gamma rays are the most penetrating of these three types of radiation. Gamma rays will penetrate paper, skin, wood, and other substances. Like alpha and beta particles, they are also harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed. To protect yourself from gamma rays, you need a shield at least as thick as a concrete wall. This type of radiation causes severe damage to your internal organs.
Q: What is the natural level of radiation?
A: In accordance with the "Norms of Radiation Safety of Ukraine", maximum permissible level of gamma background is 0.30 µSv/h.
Q: How long is the "ECOTEST" radiation measurement instruments warranty?
A: The instruments are under 18-month (free) warranty servicing from the date of purchase.
Q: Who performs warranty and post-warranty repair of "ECOTEST" instruments?
A: Warranty and post-warranty repair is done only by the manufacturer. Send the instrument for repair at the following address:

33 Volodymyr Velyky str., Lviv, 79026, Ukraine

PE "SPPE "Sparing-Vist Center"

tel.: +380322421515, fax: +380322422015
Q: Are "ECOTEST" radiation measurement instruments harmful to health?
A: "ECOTEST" instruments contain no radioactive elements and are not hazardous to health (except for the MKS-U with the kit that includes the holder with control radiation source 137Cs).
Q: Is gamma radiation dose and dose rate measured by MKS-05 "TERRA-P" and DKG-21 "EcotestCARD" while the instrument is operating in the mode of clock, alarm clock or when the display is off?
A: Yes, it is. Equivalent dose and equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation is measured irrespectively of the selected operating mode if the dosimeter is switched on. At exceeded gamma radiation threshold level, the dosimeters automatically enter the mode of gamma radiation equivalent dose rate measurement and start audio alarming followed by the blinking signal on the display.
Q: Is the alarm clock on if the MKS-05 "TERRA-P" and DKG-21 "EcotestCARD" are off?
A: Yes, it is. The alarm clock is on even if the power supply of the dosimeter is off (in case, the batteries are inserted).
Q: If the display is off, is the dosimeter switched off?
A: Not necessarily. The dosimeter operates with the power save function, which means that the display automatically switches off in five minutes after the last performed operation (audio signaling, switching the alarm clock on or pressing any button). Press shortly the THRESHOLD button to check if the dosimeter is off and the power save function is active. No readings on the display mean that the dosimeter is switched off.
Q: How long can I use the dosimeter if only one out of four segments of the battery symbol is steady?
A: You can use the dosimeter during a couple of hours if the dosimeter is operating under natural gamma background.
The higher radiation level, the sooner the complete discharge of the battery will take place.
Q: What "ECOTEST" instruments can be used in educational institutions during educational process?
A: Recommended by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine for use in educational process are MKS-05 "TERRA" and "ÒERRA-P".
Q: How are "ECOTEST" instruments delivered?
A: The delivery is done via EMS express service: the courier delivers the parcel to your address.
Q: What instruments do you recommend for civil defence at enterprises ?
A: Highly recommended are MKS-U and MKS-05 "TERRA", which are designed for such purposes.

MKS-U is modified on the basis of the military DP-5 dosimeter. The compact wooden box, where the whole delivery kit and the metal case with cover is packed, - is the only thing that reminds about its archaic analog.

The dosimeter is equipped with the solar battery. It does not have the old-fashioned relay switches and indicator hands, and the control panel is fitted out with the digital display and four control buttons. An infrared port for noncontact transmission of the received information to the computer is also available. "TERRA" resembles a mobile phone having the similar design and leather case.
Q: What is the difference between "TERRA" and "TERRA-P" ?
A: Both dosimeters are of "ECOTEST" trademark. They have the same design and almost the same weight. Distinctive features:
- the main difference is in the application of the dosimeters: "TERRA" - is a professional "protocol" dosimeter for official measurements, and "TERRA-P" - is a household dosimeter for everyday use: for apartment radiation safety, for work and resort places radiation safety, for evaluation of radiation contamination of foodstuff.
- you can distinguish between them from the first sight due to their color: the professional device is in the black case, while the household - in the yellow one;
- equivalent dose rate range measured by "TERRA-P" is narrower than that of the professional device: "TERRA" range - 0.1...9 999 µSv/h, "TERRA-P" range - 0.1...999.9 µSv/h;
- basic relative errors also differ: "TERRA" error - 15%, "TERRA-P" error - 25 %. This is relevant for professional users.
- "TERRA" measures surface beta-particles flux density, while "TERRA-P" only evaluates the surface contamination by beta radionuclides;
- battery life of the household device is 6 000 hrs, while of the professional one - 2 000 hrs;
- operating temperature range of the professional device is from -20°Ñ to +50 °Ñ, and of the household one - from -10 °Ñ;
- the professional device has five independent measuring channels, while "TERRA-P" has only three measuring channels;
- besides, "ÒÅRRA" is the equipment choice for the Ministry of Defence and the border services of Ukraine;
- both devices are recommended by the Scientific-Methodical Council under the Ministry of Education of Ukraine for use in educational process in secondary schools. For more details about the household dosimeter "TERRA-P" log on to www.terra-p.com