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Years of experiments by Sandia National
Laboratories on the aerosolization of
Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDD)
have yielded science-based response
guidance for the Emergency Services
Sector (ESS) during the first 48 hours
after detonation of such a device.
More than 500 explosive experiments
were performed on various forms of materials
so that the dispersal characteristics
of most realistic radioactive sources
could be predicted accurately, thereby
giving responders information on what
is realistically possible. Until now,
the responder guidance paper states,
planners treated biological, chemical,
and radiological agents identically.
The result is that responders receive
overly conservative and inefficient
procedures. While the particulate cloud
from a RDD can be hazardous, it is not
as immediately dangerous to life and
health as chemical or biological agents.
Initially, the authors of this new
guidance say, ESS members should consider
establishing a "high zone"
with boundaries of 500 meters in all
directions from the point of detonation.
With a good set of experiments behind
this recommendation, "first responders
can follow it without radiation measurements
if they know there is radiation associated
with the explosion." Responders,
the authors advise, should evacuate
the high zone and control access to
it. Additional guidance includes how
to interpret radiation levels, and suggestions
about where to locate a command post
and triage contaminated personnel as
well as handle those not in urgent need
of medical exams.
The authors detail "a set of practical
guidance for the user community, who
must enter the contaminated area to
rescue injured victims, and protect
critical infrastructure." Most
of the initial decisions on emergency-phase
protective actions, they say, must be
made before an attack and "codified"
in responders' operational procedures.
Presently, the paper, Emergency Response
Guidance for the First 48 Hours After
the Outdoor Detonation of an Explosive
Radiological Dispersal Device, is available
to subscribers of Health Physics Journal.
However, the Emergency Management and
Response-Information Sharing and Analysis
Center (EMR-ISAC) regards the information
as important to ESS organizations and
arranged to have a copy available until
August 15, 2006 at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/051106_dirtybomb.pdf
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