24/7 Emergency Contact Number: 1-888-295-5156
Revised: 3/2007
Page 1 of 2
RADIATION HAZARD
Agent Information: Radiological agents are used in health care, industry, energy
production and as warfare agents, measured by the number of
atoms disintegrating per unit time. A disintegrating atom can
emit a beta particle, an alpha particle, a gamma ray, or some
combination.
Signs and Symptoms: Exposure to radiation can cause two kinds of health effects.
Deterministic effects are observable health effects that occur
soon after receipt of large doses. These may include hair loss,
skin burns, nausea or death. Stochastic effects are long-term
effects, such as cancer. The radiation dose determines the
severity of a deterministic effect and the probability of a
stochastic effect in conjunction with the type of emission
usually man-made.
Route of Exposure: Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and x-rays affect
tissue in different ways. Alpha particles disrupt more molecules
in a shorter distance than gamma rays. As radiation moves
through the body, it dislodges electrons from atoms, disrupting
molecules and depositing energy. The energy the radiation
deposits in tissue is called the dose or the absorbed dose. A
person can receive an external dose by standing near a
gamma or high-energy beta-emitting source. A person can
receive an internal dose by ingesting or inhaling radioactive
material.
The external exposure stops when the person leaves the area
of the source. The internal exposure continues until the
radioactive material is flushed from the body by natural
processes or decays. When a person inhales or ingests a
radionuclide, that radionuclide is distributed to different organs
and stays there for days, months or years until it decays or is
excreted. The radionuclide will deliver a radiation dose over a
period of time. The dose that a person receives from the time
the nuclide enters the body until it is gone is the committed
dose.
Transmission: Only victims who are contaminated with radioactive particles,
either externally or internally, can expose other people to
radiation.
24/7 Emergency Contact Number: 1-888-295-5156
Revised: 3/2007
Page 2 of 2
Protective Measures Exposures can be reduced by decontamination, using
and Equipment: shielding to protect others, and distancing. Self-protection
and decontamination will depend on the type of radiation
particle and the type of exposure. If possible, decontaminate
patients prior to transport by irrigating wounds distally and
laterally and containing runoff water. However, necessary
lifesaving medical treatment should precede decontamination
or other radiation management procedures. Minimize
contamination of vehicles by closing internal compartments,
covering floors and using mobile equipment. Wrap patient in
at least a double layer of sheeting.
Follow appropriate Body Substance Isolation (BSI)
precautions, with use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
and personal dosimeters.
Standard Precautions: Hand washing before and after all
patient contacts and contact with patient care equipment.
Contact Precautions: Use of gloves, gown and eye protection.
Airborne Precautions: Initiate airborne precautions if
environmental exposure contains airborne particles, including
wearing masks (fit-tested NIOSH approved N-95 respirator).
Decontamination of PPE
Equipment can be decontaminated using soap and water, and
0.5% hypochlorite solution (one part household bleach to 10
parts water) can be used as appropriate or if gear had any
visible contamination. Note that bleach may damage some
types of firefighter turnout gear (one reason why it should not
be used for biological agent response actions). After taking off
gear, response workers should shower using copious
quantities of soap and water.
Prophylaxis: Potassium iodide can be an effective radiation countermeasure
for radioactive iodine exposure only. Administration of KI is
necessary, when ordered to do so by a Public Health Official
during a radioiodine emergency. Persons with known iodine
sensitivity should not take KI; neither should persons with
medical conditions associated with an increased risk of iodine
hypersensitivity. Such individuals should be referred to their
personal care physicians.
Treatment: Rapid response to nuclear or radiological terrorism is crucial.
Detection and decontamination are very important.
Reporting: Report suspect cases immediately to the Division of
Public Health, Epidemiology Branch: 1-888-295-5156 (24/7
coverage). For additional information, view the CDC website
for Emergency Preparedness and Response at:
www.bt.cdc.gov.
Doc. #35-05-20/07/03/37
