Radioactive Materials (RAM)
Environmental Health Division
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Radiological Issues:
An Overview
2/27/2006
Presentation
Objective: to increase awareness and
understanding of key radiation
concepts and terminology

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

Research Findings
Basic Radiation Principles
Common Uses
Measurement and Health Effects
Potential Threats
Response
Roles of the MDH
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True or False?
T
Check what you know!
F
 Exposure to radiation
can come from the soil,
air, and water. T F
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True or False?
T
F
 As Low As Reasonably
Achievable (ALARA)
principles are primarily
used to protect the
public.
T F
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True or False?
T
F
 In a radiation
emergency, MDH staff
would help recommend
protective actions for
the public, such as
evacuate, shelter in
place, or relocate.
T F
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True or False?
T
F
 Amounts of radioactive,
biological, and
chemical agents all can
be measured right
away.
T F
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True or False?
T
F
 Three basic safety
factors to protect
yourself from radiation
are distance, shielding,
and time. T F
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True or False… Summary
 Exposure to radiation
 Amounts of radiation,
can come from the soil,
air, and water. T
 ALARA principles are
primarily used to
protect the public. F
 In a radiation
emergency, MDH staff
would help recommend
protective actions for
the public, such as
evacuate, shelter in
place, or relocate. T
biological, and
chemical agents all can
be measured right
away. F
 Three basic safety
factors in protecting
yourself from radiation
are distance, shielding,
and time.
T
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CDC Research Findings:
Medical professionals need more information.
General
Issues
-Low awareness and understanding
of key concepts and terminology
-Tendency to overestimate the
severity of personal risk
Public Health
Issues
-Lack of understanding of Public
Health’s role in biological, chemical,
and radiological terrorism
General
Concerns
-Safety of family and friends
-Contamination risks
-Necessary protection actions
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/hospitalroundtablereport.pdf, accessed 12/22/2004
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Basic Radiation Principles
Radiation is energy released from
unstable elements. The energy is
released until the element is stable.
This may take a fraction of a second or
billions of years depending upon the
element.
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Basic Radiation Principles…
continued…
Decay (decrease in the radioactivity)
can be determined using half-lives.
A “half-life” is the time it takes for an
isotope to reduce its activity by one
half…
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Basic Radiation Principles …
continued…
This means that if, an element has a halflife of five years:
1/2 of the radiation would be present in 5 years
1/4 of the radiation would be present in 10 years
1/8 of the radiation would be present in 15 years
1/16 of the radiation would be present in 20 years
1/32 of the radiation would be present in 25 years
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Basic Radiation Principles …
continued…
U-238 has a 4.47 billion year half-life
Cesium-137 has a 30 year half-life
Cobalt-60 has a 5 year half-life
Iodine-131 has an 8 day half-life
Other sources of ionizing radiation may
decay faster, causing less exposure.
Source: http://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/ accessed 12/23/2004
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Basic Radiation Principles …
continued…
Radiation is everywhere, coming from:
•
•
•
•
the solar system
the atmosphere
the earth (soil, rocks, and water) and
man-made sources.
You cannot see, smell, or feel it.
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Basic Radiation Principles …
continued…
Types of radiation include:
Alpha () and Beta () Particles
and
Gamma () and X-rays
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Basic Radiation Principles …
continued…
• Alpha () particles can be blocked by a piece of
paper.
• Beta () particles can be blocked by a firefighter’s
turnout gear, but not a piece of paper.
• If exposed, wash off particles well with soap
and water in a timely manner.
• Note: If particles are ingested, inhaled, or enter the body
through wounds, medical attention is recommended.
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Basic Radiation Principles …
continued…
Gamma rays () are a different matter.
• Pure energy, similar to x-rays
• Can be blocked by concrete, lead or steel
• If exposed, medical attention is
recommended.
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Remember 3 Factors
to Minimize Exposure
Time
Distance
Shielding
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Measurement and Health Effects
of Radiation Exposures
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Measurement
The term used to measure radiation
doses is “rem.”
It measures the effect of radiation on living
tissue, also known as a “biologically
effective dose.”
Typically, exposure is expressed in
“millirems” (mrem) which is onethousandth of a rem.
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Typical Radiation Doses
Flight from Los Angeles to London . . . . 5 mrem
Annual public dose limit . . . . . . . . . . .100 mrem
Annual natural background . . . . . . 300 mrem
Fetal dose limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 mrem
Annual radiation worker dose limit . 5000 mrem
Emergency: The MDH accepts an emergency
exposure for lifesaving only of 25 to 100 rem.
Note: Workplace exposures required to be “As
Low As Reasonably Achievable” (ALARA)
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Radiation Risk Perspective
Background
Exposure
360 mrem
Risks
Known Exposure
Risks
“Annual Occupational
Exposure Limit” 5 Rem
0
0.3
5
10
Exposure (in Rem)
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Factors that Influence Health Effects
of Radiation
 General health of the individual
 Amount (The “threshold dose” means that the
effect is not seen until the absorbed dose is greater
than a certain level.)
 Frequency (acute or somatic)
 Strength of isotope
 Targeted cells or organs receiving the dose
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Biological Effects of
Acute Whole Body Radiation Exposure
Risks increase with
exposure
Death
Acute Radiation
Sickness
Risks
Hair loss in 3-4 weeks.
Death likely for 50% of
exposed and untreated
Mild radiation sickness:
nausea, fatigue, weak
0
⇝
0.3
Chromosome errors,
burns, not visibly ill
50- 150
150- 400
400- 600
Exposure (in Rems)
600- 1500
5000 +
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Uses of Radioactive Material
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Uses of radioactive material
Medical applications
include:
 Nuclear medicine
equipment
 Isotopic generators
 Therapy units and seed
implants
 Radiopharmaceuticals
 Computed Tomography
(CT) imaging
Source: FDA, Center for Devices and Radiological Health
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/fullbody-ctscan/fullbody-ctscan.htm
Accessed 12/21/2004
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Uses of radioactive material
Business applications
include:
 Luminous dials
 Moisture and density
gauges
 Thickness gauges
 Rifle sights
Source: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
 Static eliminators
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2004/04-004i.html
Accessed 12/21/2004
2/27/2006
Uses of radioactive material
Public health applications
include:
 Food irradiation
 Radiography
 Well logging
 Chemical agent detectors
 XRFs for lead paint analysis
http://www.foodprocessingtechnology.com/projects/sure/
accessed 12/21/2004
 Smoke detectors
Source: FDA, Center for Devices
and Radiological Health
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/healt
h/fullbody-ctscan/what.htm
accessed 12/21/2004
2/27/2006
Potential Radiological Incident?
Accidental (Controlled by regulatory systems)
•
•
The transportation sector (vehicle, rail, ship) carries
many materials across the US. Despite fears of an
attack, the most likely radiological incident remains a
transportation accident involving radioactive materials.
Nuclear power plants build strong structures and
exercise
Intentional (Controlled by legal systems)
•
•
Stolen materials
Dirty bombs
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Damage to a nuclear power plant
is difficult to imagine
US plants: 3 barriers between radioactive
materials and the environment.
The reactor will not explode.
Structures that house reactor fuel are
robust. Fuel is protected from impacts of
large commercial aircraft.
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Damage to a nuclear power plant is
difficult to imagine …continued…
Professionals discuss, plan, and perform
“exercises” often to rehearse skills and test
possible scenarios:
• At worst, could be a release of radioactive
materials into the air, creating a “plume.”
• May need to evacuate a surrounding area.
• Precautionary medical measures may be
necessary for those caught in the plume or its
expected path down-wind.
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Bombs with radioactive material (“Dirty
Bombs” or “RDDs”)
Definition: a conventional bomb surrounded by or filled with
non-nuclear radiological materials. (also called a
radiological dispersal device, or RDD)
Unlikely, and most probable, form of radiological terrorism
Radioactivity would not kill or seriously injure people (but
an explosion might).
Would create fear or chaos: coined a “Weapon of Mass
Disruption.”
Expect significant long-term psychological effects.
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Bombs with radioactive material
…Continued…
An RDD could be
• any size,
• spread radiation, and
• contaminate an area.
This photo was staged,
but several alleged
real-life RDD plots
have been upset.
Photo: www.seattle.gov/mayor/gallery_2003/gallery_TOPOFF2_03.htm
Erik Stuhaug, photographer, accessed 11/10/2004
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Responding to a Radiological
Incident
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Responding to an Incident
Remember, a “dirty bomb” will probably not
cause radiation sickness or death.
 Be alert for secondary attacks, like
explosive devices.
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Responding to an Incident…continued…
 Don’t make a victim of yourself.
 No eating.
 No smoking.
 Wear protective clothing – including
double gloves (if available).
 Do not move items at the scene.
They are evidence.
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Responding to an Incident…continued…
• Work within an Incident Management
System. (Take the free online IMS course:
www.sph.umn.edu/umncphp/Incident_Management_Systems.html )
 Incident Commander makes sure the
Minnesota Duty Officer has been called
and knows the situation and needs:
Metro Area ………..(651) 649-5451
Toll Free (MN)..…1 (800) 422-0798
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Responding to an Incident …
Options to protect the public
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Save lives
Control access
Monitor radiation
Decontaminate
IC communicates action to the public
…Evacuate.. or.. Shelter in place
6) Place controls on food and water
7) Relocate… Populations may mass in your
jurisdiction for a long time
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Public Safety response
1) 1st responders save lives.
Rescue known living victims.
2) 1st responders control access


Measure contamination levels in and near
danger zones. Set up barriers.
Only professional responders enter danger
zones. Measure exposures.
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Public Safety response …continued…
3) Continue to monitor
radiation levels
 Responders monitor both
cumulative dose and dose
rate when in a
contaminated area.
 Responders consult with
state and federal technical
experts when setting and
adjusting boundaries.
Photo: www.seattle.gov/mayor/gallery_2003/gallery_TOPOFF2_03.htm
Erik Stuhaug, photographer, accessed 11/10/2004
2/27/2006
Public Safety response …continued…
4) Decontaminate:
• 1st Responders
establish a field
decontamination
zone in a safe area.
• If possible,
decontaminate
victims and
emergency
responders before
transporting to a
hospital.
Source: MDH, An Exercise, Courtesy of D Grundmanis
2/27/2006
Public safety and public health staff
can plan cooperatively.
Check your local plans for your role(s).
e.g., Communication Plan: Form a JPIC. Present regular
PIO briefings and press releases. Media informs the public.
Hotline message instructs area residents to:
Evacuate
..or..
Immediate/urgent
removal of people from
a contaminated area.
Mass shelter and care
will be required.
Shelter in place
Stay indoors, close/
seal doors and
windows. Turn off/
cover fans and air
conditioners.
Individuals must care
for themselves.
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Public health staff can assist and guide
protective actions
• Food and drinking water may be sampled,
assessed, and controlled.
• Relocation… Populations may mass in your
jurisdiction for a long time, requiring
• safe shelter,
• sanitary conditions,
• medical care, and
• systems or community behavior change.
Public health staff will likely play a large role in
recovery efforts.
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The Role Of The Minnesota
Department Of Health
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Role of the MDH for Accident
Assessment
• Assist with development of guidance
to local public officials for:
- emergency workers,
- remediation personnel, and
- the public
• Coordinate sampling activities,
including air samples
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Role of the MDH for Accident
Assessment
•
Analyze samples at the MDH Public
Health Laboratory
•
Review results of sample analysis and
make recommendations for protective
actions, additional sampling, control, and
mitigation as appropriate.
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Role of the MDH for Accident
Assessment
• Develop and maintain a
preparedness and response plan for
public health aspects of disasters and
emergencies
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Using the Monitoring Equipment
Unlike many biological or
chemical agents, the
presence and amount of
radiation can be detected
immediately.
Photo: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , 10/16/2003
http://www.fhcrc.org/pubs/center_news/2003/oct16/Radiation.jpg
Accessed 1/3/2005
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Using the Monitoring Equipment
…continued…
Stop. Look. Listen.
Anytime an incident is reported that could
be remotely perceived as terrorism, the first
responder should take a Geiger counter.
Approach the site cautiously with the
survey meter on the lowest scale.
(There normally are some slow clicks measuring
background radiation. But if it clicks faster, there is
more radiation.)
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Using the Monitoring Equipment
…continued…
There are two primary uses for a Geiger
counter:
1) To identify radiation levels
2) To identify contamination on personnel,
equipment, and property
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Using the Monitoring Equipment
…continued…
 Make sure equipment is calibrated,
maintained, and available.
 Know how to use the equipment.
 Write down the measurements from the Geiger
counter.
 Call the state or federal radiation
specialist.
 Report your findings and follow directions
regarding appropriate action.
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Operations Assistance
 Record the measurements on the monitor
(Geiger counter).
 Call the state or federal radiation
specialist.
 Report your findings and follow the
directions of the radiation specialist
regarding appropriate action.
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Key Points
 Radiation is a part of daily life.
 With proper equipment, radiation can be detected
immediately.
 To reduce the potential exposure: decrease
exposure time, increase distance, and increase
shielding. If exposed, showering and carefully
removing clothing can reduce contamination
 Community actions in an event may include:
Evacuation, Shelter in Place, and Relocation.
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For more information
For more information:
CDC http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/
EPA http://www.epa.gov/radiation/students/types.html
MDH Environmental Health (651) 215-0700
Emergencies Only-- call MN Duty Officer:
Metro Area …….…(651) 649-5451
or Toll-free in MN……1 (800) 422-0798
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Post-Test
Please go to the separate file entitled,
“radtest.pdf” to print the post-test.
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Acknowledgement
This slide acknowledges that
_____________________
has seen the web-based presentation,
“Radiological Issues”
and has increased awareness and
understanding of key concepts and
terminology.
2/27/2006