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pdf DECONTAMINATION FOR YOURSELF
AND OTHERS
1 TAKE OFF OUTER LAYER OF CLOTHING
Taking off your outer layer of clothing can
remove up to 90% of radioactive material.
Put the clothing in a plastic
bag or other sealable
container.
Put the bag in an
out-of-the-way
place, away from
other people
and pets.
Be very careful in removing
your clothing to prevent
radioactive dust from
shaking loose.
2 WASH YOURSELF OFF
If you can take a shower:
If you cannot take a shower:
Use soap and shampoo. Do
not use conditioner because
it will cause radioactive
material to stick to your hair.
Wash your hands, face, and
parts of your body that were
uncovered at a sink or faucet.
Use soap and plenty of water.
If you can not use a sink or faucet:
Do not scald, scrub,
or scratch your skin.
Keep cuts and scrapes
covered when washing to
keep from getting radioactive
material in open wounds.
Use a moist wipe, clean wet
cloth, or damp paper towel
to wipe the parts of your
body that were uncovered.
Pay special attention to
your hands and face.
Blow your nose and
wipe your eyelids,
eyelashes, and ears
with a moist wipe,
clean wet cloth, or
damp paper towel.
3 PUT ON CLEAN CLOTHES
If you have clean clothes:
Clothes stored in a closet or
drawer away from radioactive
material are safe to wear.
4 HELP OTHERS AND PETS
If you do not have clean clothes:
If you do not have clean
clothes, take off your outer
layer of clothing,
shake or brush off
your clothes, and
put your clothes
back on.
Rewash your hands,
face, and exposed
skin at a sink or
faucet.
Rewash your hands, face, and parts of your
body that were uncovered at a sink or faucet.
Wear waterproof gloves
and a dust mask if
you can.
Keep cuts and scrapes covered
when washing to keep
radioactive material out
of the wound.
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATED INFORMATION
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
RADIATION EMERGENCIES
& PREGNANCY
Pregnant women should follow instructions from
emergency officials and seek medical attention as
soon as emergency officials determine it is safe.
Prenatal radiation exposure can occur when the
mother's abdomen is exposed to radiation from
outside her body.
A pregnant women who swallows or breathes in
radioactive material can also absorb the material
into her bloodstream. Radioactive materials in the
blood may pass through the umbilical cord to the
fetus or concentrate in areas of the mother's body
near the womb, exposing the fetus to radiation.
For most radiation exposures, the radiation dose to
the fetus is lower than the dose to the mother. The
mother's abdomen partially protects the fetus from
radioactive material outside the mother's body.
Health effects to the fetus can be
severe, even at radiation doses
too low to make the mother sick.
These can include miscarriage,
stunted growth, deformities,
abnormal brain function, or cancer.
Fetuses are particularly sensitive to radiation
between weeks 2 and 18 of pregnancy. Fetuses
are less sensitive to radiation during later stages
of pregnancy.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
RADIATION CONTAMINATION
VERSUS EXPOSURE
EXTERNAL CONTAMINATION
External contamination occurs when radioactive material
comes into contact with a person's skin, hair, or clothing.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
IN THE AIR
SOLID
LIQUID
INTERNAL CONTAMINATION
Internal contamination can occur when radioactive
material is swallowed or breathed in.
Internal contamination can also occur when
radioactive material enters the body through an open
wound.
Different radioactive materials can accumulate in
different body organs.
RADIATION EXPOSURE
Radioactive materials give off a
form of energy that travels in
waves or particles.
A person exposed to
radiation is not necessarily
contaminated with
radioactive material.
For a person to be
contaminated, radioactive
material must be on or
inside of his or her body.
When a person
has an x-ray, he or
she is exposed to
radiation, but not
contaminated.
When a person is exposed to
certain types radiation, the energy
may penetrates the body.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
HOW KI WORKS
KI comes in a pill or liquid and
contains stable (not
radioactive) iodine that
can help block
radioactive iodine from
being absorbed by
the thyroid gland.
How does KI
(potassium iodide) work?
KI
KI
The thyroid gland cannot tell the difference
between stable and radioactive iodine and will
absorb both.
KI blocks radioactive iodine from entering the thyroid.
When a person takes KI, the stable iodine in the medicine
gets absorbed by the thyroid. Because KI contains so
much stable iodine, the thyroid gland becomes “full” and
cannot absorb any more iodine—either stable or
radioactive—for the next 24 hours.
Without KI
KI
With KI
KI
KI
KI
KI
KI
KI
Do not use table salt or iodine-rich
foods. Table salt and foods rich in iodine do
not contain enough iodine to block radioactive
iodine getting into your thyroid gland.
KI does not prevent radioactive
iodine from entering the body
and cannot reverse the health
effects caused by radioactive
iodine once the thyroid
is damaged.
Do not use dietary supplements that contain iodine in place of KI.
Only use KI products that have been approved by the FDA.
People should only take KI on the advice of public health officials or
emergency management officials. There are potential health risks
associated with taking KI.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
HOW PRUSSIAN BLUE
WORKS
Prussian blue is a pill that can help remove
radioactive cesium and thallium from inside
people’s bodies.
Prussian blue traps
radioactive cesium
and thallium in the
intestines and
keeps them from
being re-absorbed
by the body.
The radioactive materials then move
through the intestines and are
excreted (passed) in bowel
movements.
Because Prussian blue reduces the time that radioactive
cesium and thallium stay in the body, it helps limit the
amount of time the body is exposed to radiation.
Prussian blue is available only by prescription. Medical
professionals will determine if Prussian blue is needed.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
People SHOULD NOT take Prussian
blue artist’s dye in an attempt to
treat themselves. This type of
Prussian blue is not designed to
treat radioactive contamination
and can be harmful.
P.B.
IMPROVISED NUCLEAR DEVICE
(IND)
What is an Improvised Nuclear Device?
When an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) explodes, it produces an intense
pulse. The pulse is made up of heat, light, air pressure, and radiation. The
bomb dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War II is similar to an IND.
When an IND explodes, a large fireball is created. Everything inside of this fireball
vaporizes, and is carried upwards. This creates a mushroom-shaped cloud. The
material in the cloud cools into dust-like particles and drop back to the earth, as
“fallout”. Fallout can be carried by the wind and end up miles
from the site of the explosion. Fallout is
radioactive and can contaminate
anything it lands on.
FALLOUT
What are the main dangers of an Improvised Nuclear Device?
An IND would cause great destruction, death and injury, and have a wide area of impact. People close to the blast
site could experience:
• Injury or death (as a result of the blast)
• Moderate to severe burns
• Flash blindness
• Radiation sickness (also called acute radiation syndrome or ARS)
Those farther away from the blast, in the path of fallout could experience health effects from:
• Fallout on the outside of the body or clothes (external contamination) or on the inside of the body
(internal contamination)
• Radiation sickness (also called acute radiation syndrome or ARS)
• Contaminated food and water sources
What should I do to protect myself?
GET INSIDE
STAY INSIDE
STAY TUNED
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
DIRTY BOMB OR RADIOLOGICAL
DISPERSAL DEVICE (RDD)
What is a dirty bomb?
A dirty bomb, also known as a radiological dispersal
device, is a mix of explosives, such as dynamite, with
radioactive powder or pellets.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
A dirty bomb
works
differently
and cannot
create an
atomic blast.
When the
dynamite or other
explosives are set
off, the blast
carries radioactive
material into the
surrounding area.
What is the main danger of a dirty bomb?
The main danger from a dirty bomb is from the explosion, not the radiation. The explosion can cause
serious injuries and property damage. Only people who are very close to the blast site would be exposed to
enough radiation to cause immediate serious illness. However, the radioactive dust and smoke can spread
farther away and could be dangerous to health if people breathe it in, eat contaminated food, or drink
contaminated water.
What should I do to protect myself?
GET INSIDE
STAY INSIDE
STAY TUNED
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
ACCIDENT
Nuclear power plants have safety and security procedures in place and are
closely monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). An accident
at a nuclear power plant could release dangerous levels of radiation over an
area (sometimes called a plume).
What are the main dangers of a Nuclear Power Plant accident?
Radioactive materials in the plume from the nuclear power plant can settle and
contaminate people who are outdoors, buildings, food, water, and livestock.
PLUME
Radioactive material can also get
inside the body if people breathe
it in, or eat or drink something
that is contaminated.
People living close the to nuclear
power plant who are exposed to
radiation could experience long-term
health effects, like cancer.
What should I do to protect myself?
If you live near a nuclear power plant, you can get emergency information materials from the power
company that operates your local nuclear power plant or your local emergency services office.
GET INSIDE
STAY INSIDE
STAY TUNED
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENTS
How is radioactive material transported?
Shipments involving significant amounts of radioactive
material are required to have documentation, labels
and placards identifying their cargo as radioactive.
RADIOACTIVE
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RADIOACTIVE
7
What are the main dangers of a transportation accident involving radiation?
It is very unlikely that an accident involving transport of radioactive material will cause any radiation-related
injuries or illnesses. Emergency officials have plans in place to safely respond to transportation accidents
involving radioactive materials.
RADIOACTIVE
7
DANGER RADIATION
DANGER RADIATION
DANGER RADIATION
What should I do to protect myself?
Report any transportation accidents involving radiation to emergency responders immediately.
Stay as far away from the accident as possible. Do not touch any cargo from the container.
If you believe you have been exposed, listen for
instructions from emergency officials and
contact your doctor.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Modified | 2013-03-18 |
| File Created | 2013-03-18 |