5-Radiological Materials

Page 1

• V8.2.1 WMD Awareness Level Response Training

• Focus: Radiological Materials and Nuclear Weapons

• Presented by: Office of Grants and Training, National Domestic Preparedness Consortium

Page 2

• Quote from President Obama (April 2009): "We must ensure that terrorists never acquire a nuclear weapon."

  • Importance of addressing unsecured nuclear materials within four years.

  • Quote highlights the urgency and severity of the threat posed by unsecured nuclear materials.

  • Tim Roemer's statement emphasizes the prediction of a dirty bomb attack.

• Key Concern: Securing nuclear materials to prevent terrorist access.

Page 3

• Incidents Highlighting Danger:

  • Dirty bomb parts found in slain man’s home, December/08.

  • Missing uranium pellets in South Carolina leads to concerns about larger losses.

  • Emergency response planning: New York tests dirty bomb scenario in June/09; receives $12M for radiation detection.

  • Al Qaeda leader linked to dirty bomb plot.

Page 4

• Incident: Stolen truck carrying dangerous radioactive material (Cobalt 60) found in Mexico, December 2013.

• Represents ongoing risks associated with transporting radiological materials.

Page 5

• Employee Radiation Exposure at Idaho Nuclear Waste Site, June 2018:

  • Series of safety incidents including serious exposures to plutonium dust in 2011.

  • Highlighted systemic issues of unsafe practices and conditions reported by staff prior to incidents.

  • Several lawsuits and investigations resulted from these exposures.

Page 6

• Objectives for Radiological Materials Training:

  • Describe radiation and radioactive materials.

  • Identify physiological signs and symptoms of radiation exposure.

  • Differentiate between radiation exposure devices and radiological dispersal devices.

  • Distinguish between nuclear weapon detonations and conventional explosions.

Page 7

• Key Definitions:

  • External exposure, external contamination, internal exposure, internal contamination.

  • Importance of time, distance, and shielding in managing radiation hazards.

  • Discuss pros and cons of using radiological materials and nuclear weapons in terrorism.

Page 8

• RAIN Process:

  • Recognize characteristics of radiological materials.

  • Avoid hazards through protective measures.

  • Isolate hazards to manage risks effectively.

  • Notify authorities when responding to WMD events involving radiological materials.

  • Reference: ERG Guide 163.

Page 9

• Definitions Related to Radiation:

  • Atom, Ionizing Radiation, Radioactive particles (alpha, beta, gamma), Neutrons.

Page 10

• Composition of Atoms:

  • Contains protons, neutrons, and electrons.

  • Radiation results from particles and energy emission from unstable atoms.

  • Sources: natural and human-made (e.g., tobacco, TVs, smoke detectors, nuclear medicine).

Page 11

• Types of Radiation:

  • Non-ionizing vs. Ionizing radiation.

  • Definition of isotopes and nuclides: unique characteristics and designations.

  • Various types of particles (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron).

Page 12

• Radiation Exposure Statistics:

  • Breakdown of exposure sources: Radon (55%), Medical X-Rays (11%), etc.

  • Common household and environmental sources of radiation.

Page 13

• Locations of Radioactive Material:

  • Found in hospitals, industrial sites, nuclear power plants, and during transportation.

  • Size and weight specifications for dangerous materials.

Page 14

• Radioactive Materials Labels:

  • Label classifications: §White-I, §Yellow-II, §Yellow-III.

Page 15

• Package Markings:

  • Example of Radioactive Yellow II labels; indication of potential hazards based on markings.

  • D.O.T 7A - TYPE A specifications and impact on emergency response.

Page 16

• Radiopharmaceuticals:

  • Used in medical testing and treatment; kept in small vials, and handled with care.

Page 17

• Type B Shipping Containers:

  • Transport of larger quantities of radioactive materials; steel outer drum and inner containment details.

Page 18

• Exposure vs. Contamination:

  • Distinctions between external/internal exposure and contamination.

Page 19

• Signs of Radiation Exposure:

  • Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, radiation burns.

  • Reference to "Acute Radiation Syndrome" or radiation sickness.

Page 20

• Examples of Radiation Burns:

  • Varying effects from exposure; examples of victims in Chernobyl and Georgia.

Page 21

• Acute Radiation Dose:

  • Focus on effects of high doses over a short duration.

Page 22

• Alexander Litvinenko Case:

  • Highlighting the dangers of Polonium-210, its properties and lethal potential.

Page 23

• Investigations into Poisoning:

  • UK judge's remarks on possible state involvement in Litvinenko's case.

Page 24

• Radiation Exposure Devices:

  • Introduction of radioactive sources intended for harm in public areas.

Page 25

• Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD):

  • Commonly referred to as the "Dirty Bomb"; designed to spread contamination rather than cause immediate deaths.

Page 26

• Nuclear Weapons Overview:

  • Potential of catastrophic effects and low likelihood of use in terrorism.

  • Differences in size, effects, and necessity for expertise in handling.

Page 27

• Fission and Fusion Processes:

  • Description of how fusion combines atoms and fission splits them.

Page 28

• Nuclear Detonation Mechanics:

  • Explanation of achieving supercritical mass and effects during nuclear detonation.

Page 29

• Types of Nuclear Weapons:

  • Including hydrogen bombs and the requirement of fission initiators for fusion.

Page 30

• Nuclear Bomb Effects:

  • Categories of immediate effects: blast, thermal radiation, ionizing radiation and subsequent fallout predictions.

Page 31

• Visual Aid: Map depicting detonation zones and radiation levels associated with various distances.

Page 32

• Safety Measures:

  • Recommendations: Limit time, maximize distance, and use shielding to reduce exposure.

Page 33

• Inverse Square Law:

  • Relationship between distance and radiation dose; doubling distance reduces dose by 75%.

Page 34

• Symptoms Based on Dose Exposure:

  • Breakdown of symptomatic thresholds from minor to lethal radiation doses.

Page 35

• Survival Rates & Risk Factors:

  • Various doses experienced during common activities and their health implications.

Page 36

• Radiation Dose Comparisons:

  • Similarity of doses across different scenarios and their acute effects based on exposure levels.

Page 37

• Acute Exposure and Cancer Risk:

  • Correlations and probabilities of cancer resulting from varying exposure levels.

Page 38

• Emergency Activity Dose Limits:

  • Guidelines for dose limits during emergency situations pertinent to public safety and health.

Page 39

• Isolation Protocols for Radiological Materials:

  • Importance of establishing control zones during WMD incidents to prevent further exposure.

Page 40

• Notification Guidelines:

  • Information to be communicated to emergency responders during a radiological incident.

Page 41

• Advantages/Disadvantages of Radiological Materials in WMD:

  • Pros include availability and psychological impact.

  • Cons include deployment challenges, costs, and operational difficulties.

Page 42

• Summary of Key Concepts:

  • Essential definitions and discussions related to radiological materials, their uses, and implications in terrorism.