FAQ about Radiation Emergencies
***THIS IS AN EXERCISE. THIS IS NOT A REAL EVENT.***
- About Radiation
- In an Emergency
- What to Do
- Animals
- Potassium Iodide (KI)
- Actions
- CDC Resources & Information
ABOUT RADIATION –
How do I detect radiation?
- You cannot sense radiation.
- Radiation can only be detected using specialized instruments.
- With the correct instruments, radiation is easily detected.
- Emergency responders are skilled in using these instruments.
How can a person be exposed to radiation?
- Radiation from natural and man-made sources is always around us.
- We cannot get rid of radiation in our environment.
- We can lessen our health risks by controlling our exposure to it.
How much radiation is safe?
- There is no known safe amount of radiation.
- The current body of scientific knowledge tells us this.
- We always assume that less radiation is better.
What are common sources of radiation?
- Low levels of radiation come from a number of sources.
- These include natural background.
- They also include sources such as medical x-rays.
What should we do about low levels of radiation?
- There may be some risk from low levels of radiation.
- It is reasonable to assume that less radiation is better.
- To be safe, take all reasonable precautions to reduce exposure.
- It may be difficult to reduce exposure to low-level radiation in our everyday lives.
IN AN EMERGENCY –
What are the reasonable steps to take in an emergency?
- Follow safety instructions from officials.
- Minimize the time you spend in areas with elevated radiation levels.
- Avoid areas where radiation levels are elevated.
- More about What to Do
What happens when I am exposed to radiation?
- You may not have any health effects.
- A very large dose of radiation may cause skin burns, nausea and vomiting.
- If you have these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
What is radiation exposure?
- Exposure occurs when radiation energy interacts with the body.
- Exposure can be caused from external or internal sources.
- Internal exposure happens when radioactive materials are eaten, inhaled, injected or absorbed.
What is radioactive contamination?
- Contamination occurs when radioactive material settles on a surface.
- That surface could be your body or clothing, a structure, or an object.
- Contamination also can be internal when radioactive materials are eaten, inhaled, injected or absorbed.
Are there different types of radioactivity?
- There are three major types of radiation:
- Alpha and beta radiation can be stopped by a layer of clothing, but can be harmful if eaten, inhaled, injected or absorbed.
- Gamma rays are much more difficult to stop.
- Several feet of concrete or several inches of lead may stop gamma rays.
- They can be harmful to the body.
Health effects from exposure vary depending on the amount of exposure:
- This relates to the length of time exposed, and the distance from and shielding against the radiation source.
What is the difference between contamination and exposure?
- You can be exposed to radiation without contamination, as during an x-ray.
- You cannot be contaminated without being exposed.
How can I tell if I have been exposed?
- If you are near an incident, you may have been exposed to or contaminated by radiation.
- Skin burns, nausea and vomiting can result from large doses of radiation.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
WHAT TO DO –
If you think you have been contaminated, shower and change into clean clothes.
- Place contaminated clothing in a plastic bag and seal it.
- Place the bag as far away as possible from humans and animals.
- Bagged clothing can be examined later to determine if you were contaminated.
Am I going to get cancer?
- There are many causes of cancer, both environmental and genetic.
- Radiation is a minor contributor to our overall cancer risk.
- The risk of radiation causing cancer increases with the level of radiation exposure.
- Sheltering-in-place (staying indoors) or evacuation can help lessen risk.
What should I do if I am asked to shelter in place?
- Shelter in place means get indoors as soon as possible.
- Buildings provide shielding from radiation.
- Go to the basement if you have one, or else an inner room with the fewest doors and windows.
- Close all exterior vents and windows.
- If needed, use air conditioning and heat in recirculation mode.
If you think you have been contaminated:
- Shower with lots of soap and change into clean clothes.
- Place clothing in a plastic bag and seal it.
- Place the bag as far away as possible from humans and animals.
- Bagged clothing can be examined later to determine if you were contaminated.
Listen to radio and TV for additional instruction.
How can I lessen my exposure?
- Follow the recommendations of your local officials.
- You may be asked to take shelter or evacuate the area.
- These recommendations are based on well tested public health and safety procedures.
What should I do if I think I may have been contaminated?
First, stay informed.
- Listen to your local Emergency Alert System and public safety officials on radio or TV.
- Act right away to follow guidance from public health officials.
- Visit Healthvermont.gov for continued updates.
Second, remove your clothes.
- Place the clothing in a plastic bag and seal it.
- Place the bag as far away as possible from humans and animals.
- Bagged clothing can be examined later to determine if you were contaminated.
Third, wash yourself and your valuables.
- Take a long shower using lots of soap and water. If you can’t shower, clean yourself thoroughly using lots of soap and water.
- Be careful not to scratch or irritate your skin while washing.
- Shampoo your hair.
- Gently blow your nose and wash out your eyes, ears and mouth.
- Put on clean clothing.
- Wash valuables and identification that may have been contaminated. Wash your hands again.
What should I do if I think I am contaminated and am asked to evacuate?
- Follow the instructions of your local emergency responders.
- Evacuate first, then follow the steps for decontamination or go to a monitoring center if there is one.
ANIMALS –
More information is available from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
My dog or cat is outside and may have been exposed or contaminated. What should I do?
- Follow instructions of your local authorities.
- Wash yourself first if you have been exposed or contaminated.
- If possible, wash your pet outside. This prevents tracking contamination inside your shelter.
- Wash yourself and change your clothing again after cleaning your pet.
I need to get my pet inside as soon as possible. What should I do if it has been contaminate?
- Get your pet inside and confine it to a small area. A cage or small room is best. Confining the pet limits contamination inside your shelter.
- Wash yourself first if you have been exposed or contaminated.
- Wash your pet thoroughly using soap or pet shampoo and water.
- Wash yourself again after cleaning your pet and change your clothing.
- Continue to provide your pet with food and water.
What about livestock?
- Follow instructions from local authorities.
- Shelter your livestock if possible.
- (Wash your livestock thoroughly.)
- Use stored feed and covered water if possible.
Potassium Iodide ( KI ) –
Should I take potassium iodide (KI) during a radiological emergency?
- Potassium iodide (KI) is used to lessen the chances of thyroid cancer from radioactive iodine.
- Follow instructions from public health officials on how to and whether you should take KI.
- Read more at our Potassium Iodide (KI) FAQ
ACTIONS –
What are you doing to protect public health and the environment?
- Our first concern is the health and safety of the public.
- We are working closely with local state and federal partners to determine the degree and extent of contamination and what we need to do next.
- We are monitoring the air, water, soil and agricultural products.
- Through this partnership, we will continue to provide updates with the most current information.
Is my food and water safe?
- Avoid eating food from your garden, orchard or wild foods if you suspect that radioactive material has settled on it.
- Officials will tell you if your area is possibly contaminated.
- You can continue to drink tap water until told otherwise. You can drink bottled water, or canned beverages.
- You can use sealed, canned or frozen food and liquids that have been inside. Rinse the outside of packages before opening them. Rinse all plates, pots and eating utensils before use.
When can I return to my home?
- Our primary concern is your health and safety.
- Listen to your television and radio for updated information.
- Public officials will inform you when you can go back home.
Will my home be safe?
- Our first concern is your health and safety.
- You will be informed about whether your home is in the area of concern.
- Listen to public health officials for instruction on when to return and how, if necessary, to clean your home properly.
What is the role of your agency?
The Health Department’s role in a radiological emergency includes:
- Working with our federal, state and local partners to protect public health.
- Sampling and testing water, soil, vegetation and milk for radioactive contamination – to help characterize the degree and extent of contamination.
- Ensuring that the food supply is safe
- Providing medical and public health advice
- Monitoring, assessing and following up on people’s health