What instruments are used to check personnel and equipment for contamination?

The use of friskers and whole-body personnel contamination monitors is essential in monitoring for contamination because these instruments are specifically designed for detecting radioactive particles on surfaces and skin. Friskers, also known as handheld contamination monitors, allow radiation workers to survey themselves and their equipment for radioactive contamination quickly and effectively. Whole-body monitors are used to assess whether a person has been contaminated, usually after a potential exposure, by detecting radiation emitted from the body.

The other instruments mentioned are not suitable for contamination checks. Thermometers and barometers measure temperature and atmospheric pressure, respectively, and have no application in detecting radiation or contamination. Radiation badges and Geiger counters do measure exposure to radiation but are primarily used for monitoring dose exposure rather than for contamination detection on the surface of personnel or equipment. Lastly, spectrophotometers and pH meters are analytical instruments for measuring light absorption and acidity, which are unrelated to contamination monitoring. Thus, the correct choice focuses on the specific instruments that effectively assess contamination levels in radiation work contexts.