2. 2/27/2006 Radiological Issues: An Overview Radioactive Materials (RAM) Environmental Health Division Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

3. 2/27/2006 Presentation Objective: to increase awareness and understanding of key radiation concepts and terminology Research Findings Basic Radiation Principles Common Uses Measurement and Health Effects Potential Threats Response Roles of the MDH

4. 2/27/2006 True or False? Check what you know! Exposure to radiation can come from the soil, air, and water. TF TF

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6. 2/27/2006 True or False? As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principles are primarily used to protect the public. TF F T

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8. 2/27/2006 True or False? In a radiation emergency, MDH staff would help recommend protective actions for the public, such as evacuate, shelter in place, or relocate. T F F T

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10. 2/27/2006 True or False? Amounts of radioactive, biological, and chemical agents all can be measured right away. TF FT

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12. 2/27/2006 True or False? Three basic safety factors to protect yourself from radiation are distance, shielding, and time. TF FT

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14. 2/27/2006 True or False… Summary Exposure to radiation can come from the soil, air, and water. ALARA principles are primarily used to protect the public. In a radiation emergency, MDH staff would help recommend protective actions for the public, such as evacuate, shelter in place, or relocate. Amounts of radiation, biological, and chemical agents all can be measured right away. Three basic safety factors in protecting yourself from radiation are distance, shielding, and time. T F T T F

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16. 2/27/2006 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 Healths 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.pdfhttp://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/hospitalroundtablereport.pdf, accessed 12/22/2004

17. 2/27/2006 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.

18. 2/27/2006 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…

19. 2/27/2006 Basic Radiation Principles … continued… This means that if, an element has a half- life 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

20. 2/27/2006 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 12/23/2004http://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/

21. 2/27/2006 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.

22. 2/27/2006 Basic Radiation Principles … continued… Types of radiation include: Alpha ( ) and Beta ( ) Particles and Gamma ( ) and X-rays

23. 2/27/2006 Basic Radiation Principles … continued… Alpha ( ) particles can be blocked by a piece of paper. Beta ( ) particles can be blocked by a firefighters 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.

24. 2/27/2006 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.

25. 2/27/2006 Remember 3 Factors to Minimize Exposure Time Distance Shielding

26. 2/27/2006 Measurement and Health Effects of Radiation Exposures

27. 2/27/2006 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 one- thousandth of a rem.

28. 2/27/2006 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)

29. 2/27/2006 Radiation Risk Perspective Known Exposure Risks Risks Exposure (in Rem) 0 Annual Occupational Exposure Limit 5 Rem 0.3510 Background Exposure 360 mrem

30. 2/27/2006 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

31. 2/27/2006 Biological Effects of Acute Whole Body Radiation Exposure Risks increase with exposure Risks Exposure (in Rems) 0 Mild radiation sickness: nausea, fatigue, weak Chromosome errors, burns, not visibly ill 0.350- 150150- 400 400- 600600- 15005000 + Hair loss in 3-4 weeks. Death likely for 50% of exposed and untreated Acute Radiation Sickness Death

32. 2/27/2006 Uses of Radioactive Material

33. 2/27/2006 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

34. 2/27/2006 Uses of radioactive material Business applications include: Luminous dials Moisture and density gauges Thickness gauges Rifle sights Static eliminators Source: Nuclear Regulatory Commission http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2004/04-004i.html Accessed 12/21/2004

35. 2/27/2006 Uses of radioactive material Public health applications include: Food irradiation Radiography Well logging Chemical agent detectors XRFs for lead paint analysis Smoke detectors http://www.foodprocessing- technology.com/projects/sure/ accessed 12/21/2004 Source: FDA, Center for Devices and Radiological Health http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/healt h/fullbody-ctscan/what.htm http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/healt h/fullbody-ctscan/what.htm accessed 12/21/2004

36. 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

37. 2/27/2006 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.

38. 2/27/2006 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.

39. 2/27/2006 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.

40. 2/27/2006 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.htmwww.seattle.gov/mayor/gallery_2003/gallery_TOPOFF2_03.htm Erik Stuhaug, photographer, accessed 11/10/2004

41. 2/27/2006 Responding to a Radiological Incident

42. 2/27/2006 Responding to an Incident Remember, a dirty bomb will probably not cause radiation sickness or death. Be alert for secondary attacks, like explosive devices.

43. 2/27/2006 Responding to an Incident…continued… Dont 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.

44. 2/27/2006 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 ) 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

45. 2/27/2006 Responding to an Incident … Options to protect the public 1) Save lives 2) Control access 3) Monitor radiation 4) Decontaminate 5) 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

46. 2/27/2006 Public Safety response 1) 1 st responders save lives. Rescue known living victims. 2) 1 st responders control access Measure contamination levels in and near danger zones. Set up barriers. Only professional responders enter danger zones. Measure exposures.

47. 2/27/2006 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.htmwww.seattle.gov/mayor/gallery_2003/gallery_TOPOFF2_03.htm Erik Stuhaug, photographer, accessed 11/10/2004

48. 2/27/2006 Public Safety response …continued… 4) Decontaminate: 1 st 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

49. 2/27/2006 Public safety and public health staff can plan cooperatively. Evacuate..or.. Immediate/urgent removal of people from a contaminated area. Mass shelter and care will be required. 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: Shelter in place Stay indoors, close/ seal doors and windows. Turn off/ cover fans and air conditioners. Individuals must care for themselves.

50. 2/27/2006 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.

51. 2/27/2006 The Role Of The Minnesota Department Of Health

52. 2/27/2006 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

53. 2/27/2006 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.

54. 2/27/2006 Role of the MDH for Accident Assessment Develop and maintain a preparedness and response plan for public health aspects of disasters and emergencies

55. 2/27/2006 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 http://www.fhcrc.org/pubs/center_news/2003/oct16/Radiation.jpg

56. 2/27/2006 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.)

57. 2/27/2006 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

58. 2/27/2006 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.

59. 2/27/2006 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.

60. 2/27/2006 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.

61. 2/27/2006 For more information For more information: CDC http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ EPA http://www.epa.gov/radiation/students/types.htmlhttp://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

62. 2/27/2006 Post-Test Please go to the separate file entitled, radtest.pdf to print the post-test.

63. 2/27/2006 Acknowledgement This slide acknowledges that _____________________ Radiological Issues has seen the web-based presentation,Radiological Issues and has increased awareness and understanding of key concepts and terminology.