Generic Presentation

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Basic Radiation Training for Responders to
Radiological Incidents
BASICS OF RADIATION
MA Department of Public Health-Radiation Control
Program Thomas F. OConnell Telephone
617.983.6891 email thomas.f.oconnell_at_state.ma.u
s July 2002
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MA Department of Public Health Radiation Control
Program 174 Portland Street, 5th Fl. Boston,
MA 617.727.6214 Emergency Line 617.727.9710
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Structure of the Atom
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? Decay
? has a discrete energy that can be measured and
related to the parent
4He Nucleus Ejected from Nucleus
Most of the energy associated with ?
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? Decay
Either too many neutrons or too many protons
Take away charge and change a proton into a
neutron
Take away - charge and change a neutron into a
proton
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? Decay

• Emission of a photon from the nucleus
• Often occurs after ? or ? when nucleus is in an
  excited state
• Given off with discrete energies
• Can measure photon energy and possibly identify
  parent

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Half-Life Illustration
At Aoe-?t or Nt Noe- ?t
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Radiation by Numbers
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Three Steps for Reducing Radiation Exposure

• Time
• reduce time spent in radiation area
• Distance
• stay as far away from the radiation source as
  possible
• Shielding
• interpose appropriate materials between the
  source and your body

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Shielding for ?, ? and ?
BASIC CONCEPT is to Place materials between the
source and person to absorb some or all of the
radiation
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Shielding for ?, ? and ?

• ? radiation no shield required for external
  exposures clothing, dead skin layer stops ?s,
• ? radiation ranges of meters in air some can
  penetrate dead skin layer thin plexiglass
  shields adequate, bunker gear effective for low
  energy
• x and ? radiation highly penetrating, best
  shields are dense materials (lead), vehicles can
  be used as shields

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Control of distance

• Control of Distance
• Remote Operation
• manipulating devices, remote handling tools
• Moving Away from Sources
• remain near a source only when necessary
• treat medical needs of patient/victim first
• Secure and Remove Other Radiation Sources
• waste containers at Hot Zone/Cold Zone
• other unnecessary sources

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Control of Time

• Practice Mission in Background/Low Dose Area
• Spend Down Time in Low Dose Location
• (Dose Rate)(Time) Dose
• 10 mR/hr x ½ Hour 5 mR
• Use Respirators to Minimize Internal Intake

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Methods for Controlling External Exposure
Good Practices Include Restrict
Access Limit Personnel Post Areas Post
Procedures Buddy System
Be Aware of Your Radiation Environment
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Decontamination

• To Make Safe by Removing the Unwanted Materials
• Chemical Decon Techniques Work for Radioactive
• Most Radioactive Contamination is on Surfaces
• Removal of Outer Clothing is Very Effective
• Remove Clothes and Wrap Patient in Sheets
• Enforce Clean Zones and Hot Zones

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Decontamination
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Internal Radiation Exposure
INTERNAL RADIATION EXPOSURE Radioactive
Material Deposited in the Body Pathways Inhalati
on of Dust, Mists or Fumes Ingestion of
Contaminated Food or Water Injection Via Puncture
Wound Absorption Through Skin or Via a Wound
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Internal Radiation Exposure part 2

• Internal Radiation Exposure
• Rarely any method to reduce exposure once in the
  body
• ILong physical and biological half-life, may
  irradiate individual for rest of life
• Estimates of dose are complex
• Metabolism
• Complex biological process of elimination and
  concentration
• High biological variability
• Fraction of energy released deposited in other
  organs

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Radiation Syndromes and Injury
At low doses, Radiation Injury is a Statistical
Probability In all cases, the effects of
radiation injury will be delayed Somatic and
genetic effect of low level radiation stochastic
and non stochastic biological effects Primary
biological effect of radiation is cancer.
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Radiation Syndromes and Injury
The more frequently cells divide, the more
sensitive they are to radiation injury. The more
specialized the cells are, the less sensitive
they are to radiation injury.
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Acute Radiation Syndromes(VERY HIGH DOSES-Short
Time Frame)
Between 0 and 100 rads Generally there is no
clinically observable changes Some nausea at the
high end of range in more susceptible
persons Some blood changes above 25 rads
100 - 400 rads The hematopoietic system is
affected Blood cell precursors are very
radiosensitive Gradual depression in blood count
over days or weeks Increased susceptibility to
infection and hemorrhage Most recover at lower
end of range with some medical care
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Acute Radiation Syndromes(continued)
400-1400 rads Gastrointestinal system is
affected Cells lining the intestinal track are
radiosensitive Bacteria and toxic material gain
entry into the bloodstream Diarrhea, dehydration,
infection, toxemia Survival is unlikely at the
upper end of range
Above 1400 rads Cardiovascular and Central
Nervous System is affected Blood supply is
impaired leading to nausea, vomiting,
convulsions, or unconsciousness. There is no
hope for survival
LD 50/30 is approximately 450 rads with modest
medical treatement
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Average Annual Exposure
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Relative Risk
Relative risk of 1-in-a-million chances of dying

• Smoking 1.4 cigarettes ( Lung cancer )
• Spending 2 days in New York City ( Air
  pollution )
• Driving 40 miles in a car ( Fatal crash )
• Flying 2,500 miles in a jet ( Fatal crash )
• Canoeing for 6 minutes ( Drowning )
• Receiving 40 mrem of radiation ( Cancer )

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Risk Perspective
Loss of life expectancy (in days due to various
causes

• Construction worker
• Driving a small car
• Being an unmarried female
• 25 overweight
• Coffee
• Smoking one pack a day
• Being an unmarried male
• All industry
• Radiation (100 mrem/yr -70 yrs)
• Alcohol (U.S. average)

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Risk Perspective
Loss of life expectancy (in days due to various
causes

• Being an unmarried male 3500 (10 years)
• Smoking one pack a day 2250 ( 7 years)
• Being an unmarried female 1600 ( 5 years)
• 25 overweight 777 ( 2 years)
• Alcohol (U.S. average) 365 ( 1 year)
• Driving a small car 290
• Construction worker 227
• All industry 60
• Radiation (100 mrem/yr -70 yrs) 10
• Coffee 6

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Nuclear Weapons Effects
Nuclear Weapon Effects
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Heat, Blast, Pressure
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Heat, Blast, Pressure
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Heat, Blast, Pressure
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Deposition of Radioactive Materials
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Small Nuclear Devices
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The Dirty Bomb

• Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD)
• Conventional Explosive and Radioactive Material
• Small Localized and Widely Dispersed Scenarios
• Dispersal Potential Depends of Physical Form of
  RAM
• Amount of Explosive and Local Weather Drives
  Dispersion
• Low Level Exposures and Contamination Likely
• Large Psychosocial Effects - Fear Factor

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MAP
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Radiation Signs
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Radiation Signs
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Respect radiation
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Training
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Contact NIAT
Nuclear Incident Advisory Team

• To Contact NIAT During Office Hours
• MA Radiation Control Program
• 617.727.9710
• Off Hours Through
• MA State Police
• 508.820.2121

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Questions?