NCJ Number
204310
Date Published
2004
Length
51 pages
Annotation
This document is a series of slides that present information on radiation and radiation contamination from exposure to dirty bombs and other forms of nuclear weapons.
Abstract
These slides were developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They list the possible sources for radiation exposure: nuclear power plant incident, hidden source, dirty bomb, improvised nuclear device, and nuclear weapon. They contain a definition of radiation, the penetration abilities of different types of radiation, and how to detect radiation. The slides describe the difference between radiation and radioactive material, and between exposure and contamination. They list the different radiation experts that can be consulted and how they can be of assistance. Next, the slides describe the different physical and psychological injuries associated with radiological incidents. The slides show how clinical staff can be protected and how to maintain contamination control; what to do in the event of pregnant staff; and how to deal with staff stress. They discuss patient management priorities and protocol, and what to do for prenatal radiation exposure. These are followed by slides that provide information on acute radiation syndrome. These include the phases of acute radiation syndrome, special considerations, skin effects, treatment of large external exposures, treatment of cutaneous radiation syndrome, decontamination of patients, decontamination of wounds and skin, when to cease decontamination, treatment of internal contamination, and longer term considerations following radiation injury. The last slides provide information, including Web sites and phone numbers, on additional sources for radiation incident assistance.