This section contains the following information:
Topic
General Radioactive Materials
Moisture/Density Gauges
Electron Capture Detectors
Self-Shielded Irradiators
Location Emergency Response
Note: This is to be completed by the LRPO
General Radioactive Materials
Emergency response programs must be developed by each location that has individuals permitted to use radioactive materials. The extent of the program depends on the categories of Radiation Source Permits issued and the scope of the radioactive materials use at the location. The information and steps below can serve as the basis for the location's emergency response program.
Most emergencies encountered in a research laboratory using unsealed radioactive materials or at a location using sealed sources can be successfully handled by following four principles. These are:
Assist people first;
Monitor all personnel involved;
Control the area; and
Call the LRPO for assistance.
- Spill of a non-volatile material, no personnel contamination
Make others in the area aware of the accident to prevent them from walking through the contaminated area and spreading the contamination;
Cover the spill with absorbent paper;
Verify the isotope and estimate the activity involved;
Have an individual not involved in the accident monitor all others in the immediate area to verify that no people were contaminated;
Survey the area to determine the extent of the contamination;
Mark the spill area with tape; and
Begin decontamination efforts, working from the outer edge of the spill in to the center.
- Spill involving personnel contamination
Make others in the area aware of the accident;
The contaminated individual should stay in one area. Walking around will likely spread the contamination;
Carefully remove the individual's laboratory coat and gloves and place them in a plastic bag;
Have the individual put on new vinyl gloves in case their hands are contaminated;
Have someone not involved in the accident monitor all others in the immediate area to verify that no others were contaminated;
Survey the area to determine the extent of the contamination; and
Survey the individual involved to determine the extent of their contamination;
Remove all contaminated clothing, placing them in a plastic bag; and
Begin decontamination, if necessary.
- Minor accident involving skin contamination
Most skin contamination can be removed by gentle washing with a mild detergent or chelating agent;
Do not scrub in a manner that reddens or abrades the skin. This may allow the contamination to be absorbed into the body; and
Repeat the gentle washing as necessary until the contamination has been removed.
- Accident involving severe injury to an individual.
With very few exceptions, radioactive contamination can be ignored when it is more important to treat an injury. The fundamental tenet is First Aid First;
Call for help from others in the area;
After the injury is stabilized, then control the area, initiate surveys and decontamination efforts.
If emergency medical personnel have responded to the injury, advise them of the potential for radioactive contamination. If the accident victim must be transported to a hospital, the location's LRPO, or other designated individual should go to the hospital to assist in monitoring and to describe the likely extent of contamination to hospital personnel.
- Accident involving internal exposure
Within the USDA research facilities, accidents involving significant internal exposure are extremely rare. A typical internal exposure would involve either hydrogen-3 or iodine-125, in quantities that would be expected to cause no immediate or long-term harm to the individual.
In the case of this type of accident:
Have someone not involved in the accident monitor all others in the immediate area to verify that no others were contaminated;
Survey the area to determine the extent of the contamination; and
Survey the individual involved to determine the extent of their contamination;
Using a Q-tip, swab the nasal passages. Place the Q-tip in a sealed plastic bag for later analysis.
Have the individual void their bladder. Save in individual containers ALL subsequent urine voids. This will be important in determining the actual amount of radioactive material ingested or inhaled.
Call the Radiation Safety Staff for instruction. A member of the RSS will likely make a trip to the facility to assist in the investigation.
- Waste Management
Radioactive waste resulting from a
spill and its clean-up should be managed by the LRPO in accordance with
the location's radioactive waste management plan.
Moisture/Density Gauges
Emergencies involving portable nuclear moisture/density gauges typically involve either the theft or loss of the gauge or an accident in which the gauge is crushed at a construction site.
- Theft or loss
As soon as it becomes known that a gauge has been stolen or is misplaced, the Permit Holder, or the individual in possession of the gauge, must immediately call the Radiation Safety Staff for assistance.
- Accident
The following steps must be taken when a gauge is involved in an accident.
Rope off or secure the area within 15 feet around the gauge. Do not allow anyone to enter the area;
If a vehicle in involved, it should be stopped until the extent of contamination, if any, can be determined;
Have an individual maintain constant surveillance of the accident site; and
Send an individual to contact the USDA Radiation Safety Staff and appropriate Agency personnel. The RSS will contact State radiation safety personnel, as necessary, to assist in the accident clean-up.
Electron Capture Detectors
Electron capture detectors are sealed sources that typically do not pose a hazard in the case of a facility emergency such as a fire. If it appears that the ECD is damaged, the area around the ECD should be wiped and analyzed to determine if the source has become damaged. This should be performed prior to any other cleaning.
If the ECD is leaking, place it in a plastric bag and arrange for its return to the manufacturer, or treat it as radioactive waste for disposal.
Self-Shielded Irradiators
An emergency is considered to occur when a malfunction of the irradiator causes the operator and other persons in the irradiator room or area to be potentially exposed to excessive radiation or to radioactive contamination.
- In the event of an emergency:
The operator shall immediately suspend all operations and evacuate all personnel except those investigating the emergency;
The operator shall promptly notify the Permit Holder, the LRPO, the Location Director, and the USDA Radiation Safety Staff;
No further action shall be taken until the cause of the emergency is determined, evaluated and remedial action is prescribed by the RSS; and
A complete report shall be prepared detailing the circumstances of the emergency, identification of the persons involved, observed radiation levels, and duration of exposure as well as results of the area survey and any related details.
- In the Event of Fire:
In case of fire in the immediate area, operation of the irradiator shall be suspended and the irradiator shall be closed and locked;
Firefighters shall be advised of the potential hazard by the Permit Holder or other individual;
After the fire, the entire area shall be surveyed for contamination and the irradiator surveyed for any loss or change of shielding integrity before the area is opened to reconstruction or returned to service;
The USDA Radiation Safety Officer shall determine a course of action and shall notify the NRC in accordance with Federal regulations; and
A complete report shall be prepared detailing the circumstances of the fire, identification of persons involved, observed radiation levels and duration of exposure as well as results of the area survey and related details.
Location Emergency Response Information
If the location has developed specific emergency response information for radioactive materials incidents, it should be placed in this section.
Alternately, information stating where the information can be found can be placed in this section.