Identify Types of Radiation Incidents (Text Version)

  Obvious in Real Time Not Obvious in Real Time
  Nuclear Explosion:
Weapon or Improvised Nuclear Device
Nuclear Incident
at Power Plant / Reactor
Radiological Incident
Medical Facility,
Transportation,
Industrial Facility
RDD:
Explosive Device
RDD:
Contamination of soil/air/water/food supply
RED:
Hidden Radioactive Source
How will it be discovered? Evidence from environmental and/or population observation
  • Observation of characteristics of nuclear explosion: cloud shape, blast, flash, etc
  • Evidence of sabotage or accident
  • Routine facility monitoring
  • Explosion internally or externally
  • Evidence of sabotage or accident
  • Routine facility monitoring
  • Police/Hazmat investigation of explosion detects radiation
  • Routine monitoring of concentration of radioactive materials in soil, air, water or food supply
  • Epidemiological surveillance of a population
  • Public health reports leading to a pattern of similar suspicious illnesses
  • Environmental detectors locate hidden sources outside of expected places, e.g. subway, sports field
  • Public health reports of a pattern of similar suspicious illnesses
  • Unexplained changes in blood counts among people sharing history of being in one (or more) geographic place(s)
Evidence from individual clinical observation
  • Onset of Acute Radiation Illness (Prodrome)
  • Occupational worker surveillance as part of facility procedures, badge detection
  • Acute medical trauma or illness
  • Occupational worker surveillance as part of facility procedures, badge detection
  • Acute medical trauma or illness
  • Contamination will be considered for all persons in proximity to event identified as a dirty bomb
  • Radiation exposure effects will be sought among the affected victims
  • Unexplained illnesses
  • Positive Radiation Survey reading in individuals or their body fluids
  • Unexplained dermatologic condition consistent with radiation burn or radiation dermatitis due to proximity to the radiation source
  • Unexplained drop in blood counts from prolonged exposure
  • Onset of Acute Radiation Syndrome (Prodrome)
What kind of radiation effect?

 

 

  • Contamination (external and possibly internal)
  • Radioactive shrapnel
  • Possible exposure
    More...


See also: Describing an Incident: Definition, Severity, Phases, Timeline



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