What are the 4 ways that personnel may be exposed to ionizing radiation?
- External irradiation
- External Contamination
- Wound Contamination
- Internal Contamination
What takes precedence over radiologic injuries?
Medical Emergencies.
What is the primary purpose of decontamination of external contamination? Secondary?
To prevent Internal Contamination.
Secondary would be to limit dose to the skin.
What are the 4 ways that an individual could have internal contamination?
- Inhalation
- Ingestion
- Absorption
- Impingement
What should be done if the exposure limits (aka 5 rem) were to be exceeded?
- Call BUMED
- Situational Report 6470/1 within 24 hours.
- Situational RME (SE)
- Obtain CBC with differential and platelets repeated every 24 hours for 2 days.
What should be done if personnel were to become contaminated?
- 6470/11 Internal Monitoring.
- 6470/10 with remarks
- Addendum to 6470/10 (appendix O) Detailing explanation of contamination.
- Incident Report
- SF form 531 - Anatomical Form
- SF 600 if there is an injury.
What are the 6 decontamination methods for forces afloat and ashore?
- Self Adhering Tape
- Wash 1-3 minutes with soap and water
- Wash 1-3 minutes with waterless hand cleaner.
- Wash 1-3 minutes with mild abrasive and water.
- Sloughing.
- Magnet (when applicable)
A reading of ______ mR/hr above background represents a neutron exposure above 25 rads. At that level, what should be done?
- 2mR/hr.
- Collect 10cc blood
- Collect 100cc urine
- Collect 1/2 gram of hair
- Collect any metal objects worn during the individual and document their location.
- Send collected items to NDC.
- Treat patient symptomatically.
For what type of ingestion should you never give antacids?
Chromium (Cr - 51).
If someone were to ingest 1uCi of Co-60, what amount of radiation would that commit to the GI tract; what CEDE would that give in the first year?
80mRem to GI tract
10mRem CEDE
What are the 1/8th rules of inhaled Co-60?
80% eliminated in 1 day or less.
1/4th exhaled
5/8th concentrates in the pulmonary mucous.
1/8th is processed more slowly via other mechanisms.
What are the wound decontamination procedures for Co-60?
WMD:
Wash
Probe with Magnet
Debridement
In the case of I-131 exposure due to an accident, what are the rules for the uptake of iodine?
50% absorbed at 6 hours
90% absorbed at 24 hours
100% absorbed at 48 hours
What amount of potassium iodide should be given to a patient with an I-131 exposure?
130mg/day KI.
What are the internal concerns for Plutonium 239.
Lung, Liver, Bone.
If a MFR with DT 681 notes greater than 50 cpm after a plutonium exposure, what should be done? What if it is over 500 cpm?
50 cpm - Follow internal decon procedures.
500cpm - Transfer to MTF.
What percent of radium-226 is absorbed, and how is it eliminated?
30% absorbed
95-98% Fecal
2-5% Urine
How do we test for radium-226 exposure?
Radiobioassay of excreta.
How do we treat for a radium 226-exposure?
Magnesium sulfate 10% solution followed by daily saline purgatives (with MgSO4).
If tritium is absorbed, what should be collected for testing and when?
100cc urine should be collected 4 hours after exposure.
- Increase fluid intake 2-4L daily to help remove H-3.
What are 7 items the Decontamination Kit?
Porous Tape Bar Soap Laundry Detergent Surgical Brushes Sterile Water Waterless hand cleaner Soft Scrub/Lava Soap Aluminum Hydroxide Antacids Magnesium Sulfate/Castor Oil Cathartics Specimen Containers Potassium Iodide tablets.
What is the purpose of anti-contamination clothing?
- Prevent personnel contamination when working in areas here unsealed radioactive material is present.
- Prevent the Spread of contamination if personnel are contaminated.
When should a full set of Anti-Cs be worn?
When surface contamination limits are > 10,000 uuCi/100cm2
What is in a full set of Anti-C’s?
Hood Coveralls Cotton Liners Rubber Gloves Plastic Shoe Covers Rubber Overshoes Respirator (If required)
