1. MADD 2012 - Radiological Emergencies
Incident Command System *Radiological Haz-Mat
PRD’s *Canberra Mini-Radiac Dosimeter
Radiological Decontamination

2. (4) Radiological Concepts
(ALARA)
Keeping your exposure to radiation and radioactive material “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”
(Contaminate)
(Exposure)
(Time, Distance, Shielding)

3. Building Blocks of Matter

4. How big is an Atom?
Take one small speck of dust and expand it to the size of earth…
* a single Atom would be the size of a city
* Alpha particle radiation would be the size of a ping-pong ball

5. What is radiation? It’s ENERGY… * emitted through space and matter.
- light
- heat
- sound
Radioactivity
- alpha
- beta
- gamma / x-rays

6. Stable vs. Unstable Atoms
An atom with too many or too few neutrons contains excess energy and is not stable
Unstable atoms give off excess energy (radiation)
Radioactive atoms are unstable atoms

7. Ionization
Ionizing radiation: Process of removing electrons from atoms or molecules
Non – ionizing radiation:
- radio waves
- microwaves
- visible light
- ultraviolet waves

8. Electromagnetic Spectrum

9. Types of Ionizing Radiation
- Alpha
- Beta
- Gamma / X-rays
- Neutron
* Most radioactive materials may emit more than one kind of radiation.

10. Alpha Radiation Range - 2 inches Shielding - paper, cloth
- dead layer of skin
Biological Hazards
- not external hazard
- internal hazard
- easily stopped by dead layer of skin
* Alpha radiation will not cause damage from outside the body…

11. Beta Radiation Range - up to 30’ Shielding - thick clothing
- ¼ inch aluminum
- ¼ inch plastic
Biological Hazard
- external hazard to skin and eyes
- internal hazard

12. Gamma Rays/ X-Rays Range - hundreds of feet Shielding (dense) - lead
- steel
- concrete
- dirt
Biological Hazard
- whole body hazard
(external and internal)

13. Neutron Radiation Range - hundreds of feet Shielding
- (hydrogen/water)
- plastic, concrete, dirt
Biological Hazard
- whole body hazard
(internal/external hazard)

14. Radioactive Boy Scout David Dahn:
- Started experimenting at 4 years old
- Idealized Marie and Peirre Curie
awarded Atomic Energy badge
nuclear reactor attempt
- Over 1,000 x’s normal back round radiation in neighborhood
- Superfund Clean-up site
- Arrested 2007 – stealing smoke detectors
- Americium 241… smoke detectors
- Thorium… lantern mantles
- Radium… clocks
- Tritium… gun sights
- Lithium… batteries