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Radiation Emergencies
Emergency Response:

What You Can Do

Emergency Preparedness
and Response

Report oil or chemical spills at 800-424-8802EPA stands ready to respond to incidents involving radioactive materials. We work closely with other federal and state and local agencies to protect the public from radiation exposure during emergencies ranging from incidents at nuclear power plants, to transportation accidents involving shipments of radioactive materials, to deliberate acts of nuclear terrorism.

Call 1-800-424-8802 to report a radiation emergency.
 More information about reporting and the National Response Center.

Emergency response teams have primary responsibility for assessing and responding to radiation incidents. But you can prepare ahead of time to help protect yourself and your family in the event of a radiological emergency by following the tips below.

On this page:

Prepare or Purchase an Emergency Kit

Two federal web sites offer check lists for home and portable emergency kits:

These check lists cover items for you, your family, and your pets. A kids' version of this information is also available.

The American Red Cross offers an emergency kit for sale

For radiological emergencies, you may want to consider additional items:

Well-Fitting Face Masks

Inhaled or ingested (swallowed) radioactive materials can have lasting consequences:

You can reduce long-term health risks with a well-fitting face mask that traps contaminated particles from the air you breathe.

You must be trained to properly select, use, and maintain a face mask.

Training

The National Institute for Industrial Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers information on selecting, using, and maintaining respiratory protection equipment .

Radiation Detection Meter

You cannot see, smell, or touch radiation. Detecting it requires a special meter. However, radiation detection meters are useful only as screening devices. Even then, they are useful only if you have an appropriate meter and know how to use it and interpret its readings.

Types of Meters - EPA's Water and Wastewater Security Guide describes different kinds of meters, the types of radiation they detect, and their approximate cost:

Radiation Detection Equipment discusses types of radiation detection equipment and their use. Although the page focuses on water monitoring, it does provide useful basic information.

Radiation Detection Equipment for Monitoring Personnel and Packages describes the hand-held pancake monitor, which detects alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It is the simplest and most economical option for home use.

You must be trained to properly select, use, and maintain a radiation detection meter.

Training

Professional and governmental organizations provide training:

Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets

Potassium Iodide tables protect the thyroid in the event of exposure to radioactive iodine. KI does not offer protection to any other part of the body. (If radioactive iodine or other radionuclides are already absorbed by the body, doctors must use special methods (e.g., chelation) to attempt to remove them.)

Training

These organizations offer information and training on the use of KI tablets:

Develop Basic Emergency Skills

Be prepared by building skills in CPR, first aid, and other live-saving skills. Local chapters of the Red Cross offer courses in life-saving skills. Many local groups, such as hospitals, rescue squads, community colleges, and fire and police stations, also offer courses in basic first aid, CPR, and other life-saving skills.

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Types of Radiation Emergencies and Appropriate Plans

Guides for developing personal and family plans are available on-line:

Lost (Orphan) Radiation Sources and Devices

Orphan sources present a somewhat different type of emergency than nuclear power plant accidents or terrorist events. Sources, often called "sealed sources," are usually small metal containers sealed around a small amount of a radioactive material. They are frequently used in industrial gauges (e.g., moisture and density gauges). When they are disposed of improperly or otherwise "lost" from regulatory control, they are referred to as "orphan sources."

Orphan sources can end up in scrap metal recycling facilities or in the possession of someone who does not know what they are. Radioactive material from broken sealed sources can expose both people and contaminate the surrounding environment. Sources that remain sealed expose only those in close contact with it to high-levels of radiation. (The further individuals are from the source the lower their exposure since exposure drops off rapidly with increased distance.)

EPA's orphan sources program seeks to reduce the chance of sources being orphaned and to identify alternative technologies that do not use radioactive materials.
Transportation Accidents

First responders train for transportation accidents. However, strict packaging requirements for the shipment of radioactive materials mean that accidental spills or releases seldom occur. (An example of radioactive material packaging and testing can be seen in the U.S. Department of Energy's Transuranic Waste Transportation Fact Sheet (PDF). (4pp, 1.5Mb [about pdf format] )

The Department of Transportation offers guides that describe the hazards during transportation accidents of various classes of radioactive materials.

Should such an incident occur, follow the guidance for radiation dispersion devices ("dirty bombs") until you receive instructions from local authorities.

Accidents Involving Satellites Containing Radioactive Material

Some satellites use radioactive materials as a power source during long space flights. During the launch or re-entry of satellites there is the potential for an accident that would disperse radioactive materials. The radioactive material on board is sealed in metal containers and embedded in ceramic to help prevent dispersal.

Although incidents of this type are unlikely, EPA prepares for them and is present during satellite launches and re-entries. In the unlikely event such an incident occurs, follow the guidance for radiation dispersion devices ("dirty bombs") until you receive instructions from local authorities.

Learn About Radiation

When we talk about radiation, we generally mean "ionizing radiation." Ionizing radiation is high-energy particles and rays given off by atoms with unstable nucleus as it "decays" to a stable state. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to break chemical bonds and cause unique damage to living cells. You can learn more about ionizing radiation from the "Understanding Radiation" pages.

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Become Aware of Ways You Can Be Exposed

Different exposure pathways exposure different parts of the body. Health physicists analyze the potential for exposure and its health effects by three pathways:

(Inhaling or ingesting radioactive materials or contaminating open wounds results in exposure to living tissue, which causes the greatest cell damage.)

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Learn about the Health Effects of Radiation

In general, the amount and duration of radiation exposure affects the severity and type of health effect. There are two broad categories of health effects:

You can learn more from EPA's radiation health effects pages.

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Remember Radiation Protection Basics

There are three fundamentals of protecting yourself against unnecessary exposure:

Time

Limit the time you spend around the radiation source, your exposure — and the chance of damage to your body — will be lower.

Distance

Increase your distance from the source, your exposure — and the chance of damage to your body — will be lower. Double your distance and your exposure decreases by a factor of four!

Shielding

Increase the shielding between you and a radiation source (with protective barriers such as walls and buildings) to decrease your exposure. Depending on the type of radioactivity (alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays), effective shielding could be as thin as a piece of paper (for alpha radiation) or as thick as a lead-lined wall (for gamma radiation).

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Join Citizen Corps

Citizens can offer vital support to first responders. Citizen Corps was founded as part of the USA Freedom Corps, by President Bush in January of 2002. It's role is to help coordinate volunteer activities and provide opportunities to help make communities safer from crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS works closely with other federal organizations, state and local governments, first responders and emergency managers, the volunteer community, and the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps.

Resources to Help You Prepare

Protective Action Guides (EPA’s Radiation Protection Program: Emergency Response) 21 February 2006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This page provides information on EPA’s Protective Action Guides (PAGs), which help state and local authorities make radiation protection decisions during emergencies.

Be Informed: Radiation Threat, READY America 21 February 2006. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
This page provides information on radiation threats, such as “dirty bombs” or radiological dispersal device.

Emergencies and Disasters: Planning and Prevention U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This page provides links to various federal emergency response sites, from the National Response Plan to information on protecting your family during an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness and Response 7 February 2006. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This site provides links that give an in depth look at CDC’s role in radiological emergency response.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dirty Bombs 21 March 2005. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This site provides links that give an in depth look at CDC’s role in radiological emergency response.

Fact Sheet on the Incident at Three Mile Island 31 March 2005. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
This page has information about the incident at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant incident in Pennsylvania.

Emergency Response U.S. Department of Energy
This page gives information on how DOE helps protect the public from an incident during the transportation of radioactive material.

State and Tribal Programs Site – State Regulations and Legislation 16 February 2006. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
This site lists links that tell you about the different states and their regulations and legislation for radiation protection.

State Radiation Control Program Directors Contact Information Exit EPA Disclaimer Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
This map allows individuals to click on their state to see contact information for their radiation control program director.

Citizen Corps Department of Homeland Security
This web site provides information on the various opportunities for citizens to become involved in preparing for emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness for Business Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This page provides links to information that will help businesses develop a comprehensive plan for dealing with terrorism-related events.

Info for the General Public Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This site provides information on a variety of topics related to radiation emergencies.

FEMA for Kids Federal Emergency Management Agency
This site helps kids prepare for emergencies. It also provides information for parents and teachers on talking with children about terrorist acts and other emergencies.

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