Hazards quiz three (do not eat cookies in 3)

Radiation

energy emitted in the form of rays or particles —found in radioactive material

Radioactive material is…

unstable

As the substance decays…

it gives off radiation

Three basic particles that make up an atom…

• electron

• proton

• neutron

Electron

number determines the chemical properties of the element

Proton

number defines the element

Neutron

number defines the isotope

What causes atoms to be radioactive?

• atoms are either stable (balanced) or unstable/unbalanced (radioactive)

Unstable/unbalanced (radioactive) atoms

• excess internal energy

• radioactive/radionuclide

• excess of neutrons or protons

Chemical properties of an element

• determined by the number of electrons in its atom, which is determined by the number of protons

• when an atom has extra neutrons or protons, ti causes the element to become unstable

Fissile Materials

• atoms that are capable of nuclear fission, which are capable of splitting apart

• this is the key source of power released in nuclear fission

U-233, U-235, Pu-239, Pu-241

four types of uranium and plutonium designated as fissile material for transportation purposes

Radioactive materials

any material containing unstable (radioactive) atoms: solids, liquids, gases

Decay

radioactive materials trying to stabilize themselves by changing its structure through this natural process

Half-life of a radioactive source

the amount of time it takes the material to reduce the amount of radiation it emits by half

Non-ionizing radiation

• Radiowaves*

• microwave

• infared

• radar

Ionizing radiation

alpha, beta, gamma/xrays, neutrons

Exposure rate

• the amount of ionizing radiation per hour in a person’s vicinity

• mR/h

Dose rate

biological effect on the body from exposure to that radiation

The nuclear age

born in 1945 when the US developed the first atomic bomb

• atp, the US was the only nuclear power

Terrorists

may use dirty bombs to spread radiation

Improvised Nuclear Device (IND)

would cause a thermonuclear detonation and cause higher doses of internal and external radiation

Governments have practiced the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) to prevent nuclear war.

if all sides of the conflict can destroy one another, than the use of nuclear weapons in conflict is not advantageous

Alpha particles

• large, charged, and slow

• easily absorbed by material

• can only travel a few cm in air

Beta

20-30 ft

Gamma

depending on their initial energy, can travel tens or hundreds of feet in air

Neutron particles air travel

• hundreds-thousands of meters in air

• able to be effectively stopped if blocked by a hydrogen rich material (concrete, water)

Roentgen (R)

the amount of ionization present in air

Gamma radiation is effectively shielded by

lead

which cells are most sensitive to radiation?

those that are actively dividing

A person exposed to radiation…

is not necessarily contaminated with radioactive material

a person that has been exposed to radiation has had..

radioactive waves or particles penetrate the body (x-ray)

For a person to be contaminated..

radioactive material must be on or inside their body

Radiological Incendiary Device

• aka dirty fire, used to delay first responders’ response

• the effects of radiation exposure depend on type of radiation, duration of exposure, and distance form the exposure

  • R- Roetngen

  • exposure - measure of ionization in air

  • exposure rate - the measure of ionization produced in air per unit of time

Terrestrial radiation

• radioactive materials (uranium, thorium, and radium) exist naturally in soil and rock

Radon

• responsible for most of the dose that Americans receive each year from natural background sources

• odorless, tasteless, and invisible

• decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water

• ionizing

• found in outdoor air and indoor air in buildings

Man made radiation

• dental x-rays

• CT

• Nuclear medicine

• particle accelerator

SI units

• the radiation units that are used may vary based on the discipline

  • response

  • medical

  • national

• international

  • border states may encounter Si units as part of the federal response

4 main threats of a nuclear explosion

1. Blast wave → destroys buildings, causes trauma

2. Thermal radiation (heat) → severe burns, fires

3. Initial radiation → immediate exposure near blast

4. Fallout radiation → most important for survival

Fallout (radioactive dust)

the primary cause of death after the initial blast

Critical timeline

• fallout begins to fall within 10-15 min

• most radiation exposure occurs within the first 24 hours

• radiation decreases significantly after

  • 24 hrs — 80% reduction

  • 48 hrs — much safer

  • 2 weeks — major drop

  • the longer you stay sheltered, the safer you are

what to do immediately during fallout

• if you see a flash

  • don’t look at it

  • drop to the ground

  • cover head and exposed skin

• after blast passes

  • get inside immediately

• you have 10-15 min before fallout arrives

Best shelter

• basement of large, multi-story building

• thick walls = better shielding

• more material between you and fallout

Avoid (during fallout)

• cars

• mobile homes

• open areas

Distance + density =

protection from radiation

shelter positioning

• go to center of building

• stay away from windows and roof

• put as many walls/material btw you and outside

Decontamination

• remove outer clothing (80-90% contamination removed)

• shower with soap and water

• if no shower, wipe skin (hair, hands, face)

• avoid conditioner (can trap particles)

Stay inside and stay informed

• stay sheltered for at least 24 hours

• use

  • radio

  • phone alerts

• wait for official instructions before leaving

• do not evacuate immediately unless told

An indicator that a radiological/nuclear weapon of mass destruction (WMD) event may have occurred:

• there is a material that seems to emit heat without any signs of an external heating source

• there is an explosion or unexplained bomb like material

• there are unusual numbers of sick or dying people or animals

Decontamination cooridor

located in the yellow zone

Medical countermeasures to radiological agents are most effective when

• given before or soon after exposure

• CDC states regardless of a pt’s contamination status, emergency medical stabilization and resuscitation should come first and not be delayed to perform decontamination

• use level C protection gear