Radiation Emergencies -Preparing for Response- Tribal Lands Forum San Diego, CA August 25, 2010 Tom Clawson US Department of Energy Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program 1
Radiological Training Radiation 101 2
Atomic Structure All matter is made up of atoms Protons Neutrons Isotopes Electrons Not all atoms are stable Unstable atoms are known as radioactive atoms 3
Ionization Ionization is the process of removing electrons from atoms 4
Ionization 5
Four Basic Types of Ionizing Radiation Alpha Beta Gamma Neutron 6
Alpha Radiation 7
Beta Radiation 8
Gamma Radiation 9
Neutron Radiation 10
Radioactive Material and Radioactivity Radioactive material is any material that spontaneously emits ionizing radiation Process of unstable atom emitting radiation is called radioactivity Radioactive decay is measured in half-lives 11
Radioactive Material and Radioactivity Half-life is the time it takes for ½ of the radioactive atoms present to decay to another form Half-life is unique to each radioactive isotope and can vary greatly Radioactive pharmaceutical products (called radiopharmaceuticals) typically have half-lives of a few hours or days 12
Radioactive Material and Radioactivity Regardless of the half-life, the radioactivity level of any given amount of radioactive material is constantly decreasing Some radioactive isotopes and their half-life Isotope Nitrogen-16 Technetium-99m Thallium-201 Cobalt-60 Cesium-137 Americium-241 Uranium-238 Half-Life 7 seconds 6 hours 73 hours 5 years 30 years 432 years 4.5 billion years Radioactive 102 34 56 78 91 half-lives half-life Material 13
Radioactive Contamination When radioactive material is where it is not wanted (e.g., on the ground, in water, or on you), we refer to it as contamination 14
Radiation versus Contamination Radiation is a type of energy; contamination is material Exposure to radiation will not contaminate you Radioactive contamination emits radiation 15
Exposure to Radioactive Material We are all exposed to radiation from everyday sources If the source of radiation (material) gets on us, we are considered contaminated Contamination continues to be an exposure hazard 16
Radioactive Contamination Types Can be External or Internal External Secondary contamination Internal Can be difficult to remove 17
Biological Pathways Biological pathways that can introduce internal contamination include: Ingestion Injection Inhalation Absorption 18
Avoid Radioactive Contamination Do not: Eat Drink Smoke Chew Use PPE while working in areas where radioactive contamination is suspected 19
Common Sources Radiopharmaceuticals 20
Common Sources Consumer products 21
Common Sources Nuclear fuels Radioactive waste 22
Common Sources Industrial sources 23
Radiological Training Hazard Identification 24
Fixed Facilities Radiological postings are used to alert personnel to the presence of radiation and radioactive materials All areas controlled for radiological purposes are posted with a sign containing a magenta (or black) three bladed radiological warning symbol (trefoil) on a yellow background 25
Fixed Facilities Yellow and magenta ropes, tapes, chains, or other barriers may be used to denote the radiological boundaries These barriers must be clearly visible to anyone approaching the area Entrance points to those areas are posted with signs listing the entry requirements 26
Transportation Package markings are designed to inform transportation workers and emergency response personnel about a package s radioactive contents Package markings will be clearly marked on the outside of the package 27
Radiation-Warning Labels Labels are applied based on external radiation level or in some cases the package contents The following labels may be used on packages of radioactive material: Radioactive White-I Radioactive Yellow-II Radioactive Yellow-III Fissile EMPTY 28
Radiation-Warning Labels Radioactive White-I Fissile Radioactive Yellow-II Radioactive Yellow-III EMPTY 29
Transportation Placards Placarding is based on labeling or package contents 30
Radiological Training Patient Handling 31
Types of Exposure 3 general classes of patients may be encountered: Patient exposed to radiation from external source Externally contaminated patient Internally contaminated patient 32
Radiological Emergencies Treatment of life-threatening injury takes precedence over radiological controls Performing a gross decon on patients suspected of being contaminated can dramatically reduce external contamination levels 33
Radiological Emergencies For non life-threatening injuries, more time can be devoted to decontamination Decontamination is normally accomplished using mild soap and luke warm water Do not attempt decon unless trained to do so Abrading the skin can provide a mechanism for contaminates to enter the body 34
Patient Handling/Gross Decon Gross decon for contamination reduction Leave patient s clothing inside hot zone Conduct additional decontamination only if time permits and radiologically trained personnel available (e.g., Radiation Authority) 35
Removing Patients from the Hot Zone Prepare backboard & don appropriate PPE 36
Removing Patients from the Hot Zone Perform gross decon & wrap patient 37
Removing Patients from the Hot Zone Transfer patient out of hot zone 38
Patient Transfer Notify hospital that a potentially contaminated patient is en route Request special instructions or procedures: Follow hospital s radiological protocol Survey crew, vehicle, and equipment Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew until surveyed by radiation authority 39
Biological Effects Effects from low doses of radiation are predicted based on studies of individuals and groups that received large doses of radiation 100 years of study focusing on 4 groups: Early radiation workers Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki People involved in radiation accidents at nuclear facilities Cancer patients 40
How Radiation Affects the Body Damage occurs at the cellular level Atoms making up the cell are ionized A sufficiently high dose of radiation can: Damage many cells Result in noticeable-observablehealth effects 41
How Radiation Affects the Body Some parts of the body are more sensitive to radiation than others Rapidly dividing cells are sensitive to radiation s effects and include: Blood-forming cells Cells lining the intestinal tract Cells in an embryo or fetus Cells that divide less rapidly or are more specialized are not as easily damaged by ionizing radiation Nerve cells Brain and muscle cells 42
Acute Doses Acute Dose Large radiation dose received in a short period of time May result in observable health effects Nausea Fatigue Hair loss Low probability of receiving an acute dose while responding to a transportation incident 43
Chronic Doses Chronic Dose Small radiation dose received over a long period of time Body more easily repairs damage from chronic doses Does not result in observable effects 44
Exposure Risks Numerous studies show that large acute doses (>10,000 millirem) can increase risk of cancer Epidemiological studies conducted to date show that health risks at doses below 10,000 millirem are either zero or so low that they cannot be measured 45
Questions? 46