1. Basic Radiation Training for Responders to Radiological Incidents BASICS OF RADIATION MA Department of Public Health-Radiation Control Program Thomas F. O’Connell Telephone: 617.983.6891 email: thomas.f.o’connell@state.ma.us July 2002

2. MA Department of Public Health Radiation Control Program 174 Portland Street, 5 th Fl. Boston, MA 617.727.6214 Emergency Line 617.727.9710

3. + + + Nucleus Neutrons Protons Electrons (Electron Clouds) Structure of the Atom

4.  Decay + + + + + + + + + 4 He Nucleus Ejected from Nucleus  has a discrete energy that can be measured and related to the parent Most of the energy associated with 

5.  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 + antineutrino - neutrino Three products share energy – therefore beta has a continuous range of energies

6.  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 + + + + + + + + + - neutrino Gamma Photon

7. Half-Life Illustration A t = A o e - t or N t = N o e - t Beginning Activity or Number of Nuclei Time (t) Activity (A) or Number of Nuclei (N) How fast the curve changes (short half-life) (long half-life)

8. Radiation by NumbersRadiation by Numbers

9. 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 Three Steps for Reducing Radiation Exposure

10. Shielding for ,  and  BASIC CONCEPT is to: Place materials between the source and person to absorb some or all of the radiation

11.  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 Shielding for ,  and 

12. 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 Control of distance

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. Decontamination

17. INTERNAL RADIATION EXPOSURE Radioactive Material Deposited in the Body Pathways Inhalation of Dust, Mists or Fumes Ingestion of Contaminated Food or Water Injection Via Puncture Wound Absorption Through Skin or Via a Wound Internal Radiation Exposure

18. 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 Internal Radiation Exposure part 2

19. 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. Radiation Syndromes and Injury

20. 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. Radiation Syndromes and Injury

21. 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 Acute Radiation Syndromes (VERY HIGH DOSES-Short Time Frame)

22. 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 Acute Radiation Syndromes (continued)

23. Average Annual Exposure

24. 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 )

25. 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)

26. Risk Perspective Loss of life expectancy (in days due to various causes : Being an unmarried male3500(10 years) Smoking one pack a day2250( 7 years) Being an unmarried female1600( 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

27. Nuclear Weapon Effects Nuclear Weapons EffectsNuclear Weapons Effects

28. Heat, Blast, Pressure

31. Deposition of Radioactive Materials

32. Small Nuclear Devices

33. 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

34. MAP

35. Radiation Signs

37. Respect radiationRespect radiation

38. Training

39. To Contact NIAT During Office Hours –MA Radiation Control Program 617.727.9710 Off Hours Through –MA State Police 508.820.2121 Nuclear Incident Advisory Team Contact NIAT

40. Questions?