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Printing Instructions
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OSHA/NIOSH Interim Guidance - August 30, 2004
Chemical - Biological - Radiological - Nuclear (CBRN)
Personal Protective Equipment Selection Matrix
for Emergency Responders
Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD)
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NOTICE |
| This product is not a standard or regulation,
and it has no effect on employers' legal obligations. The guidance is advisory in nature,
informational in content, and is intended only as technical assistance to employers in providing a safe
and healthful workplace during emergency response operations. This document does
not enhance or diminish any existing obligations under the OSH Act. The
information in this document is interim guidance only. It is anticipated that NIOSH CBRN
approval for all classes of respirators will be available in the near future. This guidance will change at the time NIOSH CBRN certification standards are available for all respirator classes.
OSHA also may update this guidance as additional information becomes available
in the future. |
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A Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD), or "Dirty Bomb", is a conventional explosive device which has been surrounded with or
contaminated with some form of radioactive material. When it explodes, the device spreads the radioactive material over a wide area. The purpose of
these devices is to frighten people and make buildings and land unusable during the weeks necessary to perform decontamination. In the most likely scenario,
low-level radioactive powder or pellets would be used, and the contamination would be dispersed over a few city blocks. The actual radiation hazard would be
dependant on the source material used. It is not likely that enough radiation would be present to cause severe illness in the exposed population.
Emergency responders to an explosion or the resulting fires will generally not know they are being exposed to radiation unless they utilize a radiation
detecting device. There is no practical personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect First Responders against externally penetrating gamma radiation.
Monitoring devices are
the only means to ensure that responders do not enter an area where exposures to external gamma radiation is excessive.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent skin contamination of
particulates is very effective against particulate-borne radiation hazards
(i.e., alpha and beta particles). Typical fire fighter "turn-out" gear,
including a SCBA, is generally adequate for this purpose. The use of turn-out gear or
any disposable protective clothing suitable for particulate exposure, should be followed by appropriate decontamination of personnel and equipment.
Protection of internal organs from inhalation of radioactive particulates can be provided by wearing an appropriate particulate respirator. The SCBAs will
provide the highest level of protection. Responders should utilize at least a full-face air-purifying respirator with a P-100 or HEPA filter, as appropriate.
Respiratory protection specifically approved by NIOSH for CBRN exposures is desirable. However, where specific CBRN-approved respirators are not available, the incident commander may allow alternative NIOSH-approved respirators, such as SCBAs, or
full-face powered or non-powered
air-purifying respirators with P-100 or HEPA filters, as appropriate. It should be noted that these recommendations for respiratory protection are designed
ONLY for protection against inhalation of radioactive particulates, and do not consider protection that may be necessary for other contaminants, such as
chemical or biological agents.
Particulate sampling can be performed to measure the radioactivity of dust in the air and to further characterize exposures. Based on the sampling data, the
respirator protection factor needed to meet the relevant exposure limits can be determined
(see table below), and the specific type of respirator needed can
be identified. According to the data, it may be possible to downgrade or remove requirements for respiratory protection. However, until exposures have been
characterized, responders and support personnel should continue to utilize full-face air-purifying P100 respirators, or higher respiratory protection (e.g., SCBAs, PAPRs).
Guidance Matrix for RDD Incidents
| OSHA
Occupational Exposure Limits for Ionizing Radiation
29 CFR 1910.1096 |
Rems per
calendar quarter |
| Whole Body; Head and Trunk; Active Blood-Forming Organs; Lens of Eye or Gonads |
1 1/4 |
| Hands and Forearms; Feet and Ankles |
18 3/4 |
| Skin of Whole Body |
7 1/2 |
| Under age 18 workers |
10 percent of above limits |
| Over age 18 workers |
3 rem may be permitted under
conditions specified in
29
CFR 1910.1096(b)(2) |
Note: The Department of Homeland Security is currently
chairing an interagency workgroup which is in the process of assessing the
protective action guidance for response to an RDD event.
References
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29 CFR 1910.1096,
Ionizing Radiation. OSHA Standard.
- Manual of Protective Action Guides and Protective Actions for Nuclear Incidents. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Radiation
Programs, (1992, May), 16 MB
PDF, 274 pages.
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Radiological Emergency Response Health and Safety Manual.
US Department of Energy (DOE) Report DOE/NV/11718-440,
(2001, May), 1 MB
PDF, 103 pages.
Specific Hazard Information
Related Online Resources
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology
and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.
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