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Chapter 4: Chemical & Radiation Event, Nuclear Emergencies, People…

- - - - Workplaces like healthcare facilities, research institutions, and various manufacturing operations use radiation sources. An accident is caused due to improper use of radiation, or if there are malfunctions of safety controls, accidents can happen.
      - Occupational accidents involving radiation can affect health based on several factors:
        a) The type and amount of radioactive material
        b) How long people were near the radioactive material or how long the radioactive material was in or on the body
        c) How close people were to the radioactive material
        d) What parts of the body were exposed
      - What should I do to protect myself?
        
        Followed safety precautions and procedures and complete required radiation safety training.
        
        Report any occupational accidents involving radiation to safety officials immediately. Stay as far away from the site of the accident as possible.
        
        Listen for instructions from safety officials and contact your doctor if believe have been exposed to radiation
    - - Definition: Radioactive material could be hidden from sight to expose people to radiation without their knowledge.
      - Example: Medical diagnosis, Cancer treatment, Industrial radiography, Sterilization of medical product
      - The dangers of a Radiological Exposure Device depend on:
        a) The type and amount of radioactive material
        b) How long were people near the device
        c) What parts of their body were exposed
      - What should I do to protect myself:
        -Report a suspected Radiological Exposure Device to law enforcement officials immediately.
        -Stay as far away from the suspected RED as possible.
        -If a RED is identified, and you believe you have been exposed, listen for instructions from emergency officials and contact your doctor.
    - - The main dangers of transportation accidents involving radiation are contact with and exposure to radioactive material, in the rare event that the shipping container is damaged. It is very unlikely that accidents involving transport of radioactive material will cause any radiation-related injuries or illnesses.
        
        EXAMPLE;
        Accident in the transport of radioactive material.
  - - - Sources of the release
      - Chemical(s) involved, the amount released, their physical form, and where and how the release occurred
      - Extent of the contaminated area
      - Number of people exposed or at risk
      - Routes of exposure
      - Health or medical consequences of exposure
  - - - What is the main danger of a dirty bomb?
        
        What immediate actions should I take to protect myself?
        
        If you are outside and close to the incident:
        
        Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to reduce the risk of breathing in radioactive dust or smoke.
        
        Don’t touch objects thrown off by an explosion, they might be radioactive.
        
        Quickly go into a building where the walls and windows have not been broken. This area will shield you from radiation that might be outside.
        
        Once you are inside, take off your outer layer of clothing and seal it in a plastic bag if available. Put the cloth you used to cover your mouth in the bag, too. Removing outer clothes may get rid of up to 90% of radioactive dust.
        
        Put the plastic bag where others will not touch it and keep it until authorities tell you what to do with it.
        
        Shower or wash with soap and water. Be sure to wash your hair. Washing will remove any remaining dust.
        
        Tune to the local radio or television news for more instructions.
        
        If you are inside and close to the accident:
        
        If the walls and windows of the building are not broken, stay in the building and do not leave.
        
        To keep radioactive dust or powder from getting inside, shut all windows, outside doors, and fireplace dampers. Turn off fans and heating and air-conditioning systems that bring in air from the outside. It is not necessary to put duct tape or plastic around doors or windows.
        
        If the walls and windows of the building are broken, go to an interior room and do not leave. If the building has been heavily damaged, quickly go into a building where the walls and windows have not been broken. If you must go outside, be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a cloth. Once you are inside, take off your outer layer of clothing and seal it in a plastic bag if available. Store the bag where others will not touch it.
        
        Shower or wash with soap and water, removing any remaining dust. Be sure to wash your hair.
        
        Tune to local radio or television news for more instructions.
        
        The main danger from a dirty bomb comes from the explosion, not the radiation.
        
        The explosion from a dirty bomb can cause serious injuries and property damage.
        
        Only people who are very close to the blast site would be exposed to enough radiation to cause immediate serious illness. However, the radioactive dust and smoke can spread farther away and could be dangerous to health if people breathe in the dust, eat contaminated food, or drink contaminated water.
      - A dirty bomb is a mix of explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive powder or pellets. It is also known as a radiological dispersal device (RDD).
      - A dirty bomb cannot create an atomic blast like an improvised nuclear device or nuclear weapon.
      - When the dirty bomb explodes, the blast carries radioactive material into the surrounding area.
  - - - Example of power plant accidents
        
        Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant (Japan) - 11/03/2011
        
        Chernobyl nuclear power plant (Ukraine) - 26/04/1986
        
        Three Mile Island, Unit 2 (TMI-2) reactor in Pennsylvania (USA) - 28/03/1979
      - The outcomes are :-
        
        Spills
        
        Contamination
        
        Environmental Impact
        
        DANGER
        Destruction of surrounding : no growth of floral
        Sustain for years : Mutations, Cancer