EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

The past two blogs have addressed the possibility of both unintentional and intentional releases of radiation. The situation may appear bleak, but you are not helpless! This blog will speak to what you can do to prevent, prepare, and respond. First, response:

Response: A large radiation disaster would be followed by a massive government response. However, even well trained agencies could not prevent public panic. Agencies would probably be overwhelmed. Emergency medical teams would try to establish “hot,” “warm,” and “cold” zones. Disaster principles, such as containment, decontamination, and field triage, would be important. The focus should always be local, and include information to calm and direct the public, i.e. emergency radio broadcasts, evacuation plans, sheltering, the use of KI, etc.

For your family, protection against the radioactive cloud is the most important action after a release. Evacuation is difficulty since a radiation cloud disperses very quickly. Therefore, a safe place should be sought within the home, or wherever you are at the time.  Your degree of radiation exposure is related to three elements: time, distance and shielding.  Time: Minimizing exposure duration will also reduce the risk. Distance: The farther away from the blast and the fallout, the lower the exposure. Shielding: A thick shield between the person and the radioactive materials allows absorption of most of the radiation. So get away, get down, and get covered! If you ‘google’ this subject, you’ll get more details.

Potassium Iodide (KI) is the same compound that is used to iodize table salt. When ingested shortly after exposure to radiation, KI “floods” the thyroid, blocking uptake of inhaled or ingested “radio-iodines”. If taken promptly and at the right dosage, KI pills are an effective preventative against radiation-induced thyroid effects.  I actually keep a miniature vial of KI pills on my keychain, mostly as a reminder to “think emergency prep” daily.

Preparedness: Local planning revolves around training, and getting appropriate supplies. This is why you are reading this! Mock radiation disaster exercises with a spectrum of agencies would help. Fire and rescue workers, paramedics, nurses, physicians, mental health professionals and other first responders should receive training in radiation disasters, but don’t count on them during an actual event.

Prevention:  Radioactive materials are used throughout the country, particularly in research, industry and medical treatment. As mentioned, their wide use under relatively minimal security can result in material being purchased or stolen and then used for nefarious purposes such as a ‘dirty bomb’. Strict regulation and surveillance of radioactive materials is important.

Although there have been relatively few radiation disasters worldwide, the past give insight into future risks.  The more that radioactive material is used in industry, research, or medicine to support technological advances, the greater is the potential for an unintentional radiation event.  The less secure the safeguards, the easier is access to these materials, including from extremist groups set on an ‘intentional’ release. The government and others in your neighborhood may not be prepared. But hopefully, you can be! And you can spread information to others of potential radiation risks and educate them in prevention, preparedness, and response action to guard against a radiation disaster.

Thanks for reading.

Monty