nuclear/radiologic agents Flashcards

1
Q

objectives

A

-Explain the concepts of ionizing radiation and its
sources, properties, and units of measure.
-Recognize potential radiological/nuclear WMDs and
understand the scope and consequences of a
radiological/nuclear accident or terrorist incident
-Describe the recognition indicators and notification
requirements of a First Responder during a
radiological/nuclear WMD incident.
-To identify and initiate awareness level protective actions
at the scene to reduce radiation exposure and/or
contamination to themselves and others.

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2
Q

bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki

A

-more than 200,000 deaths

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3
Q

radiation

A
  • energy emitted in the form of rays or particles
  • found in radioactive material
  • radioactive material is unstable
  • as the substance decays it gives off radiation
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4
Q

sources of radiologic material

A
  • thousands of radioactive material are generally used to benefit humankind
  • once it has been used for its purpose, the leftover material is called radiologic waste
  • remains active but is no longer useful
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5
Q

atom structure

A
  • atoms are made up of:
  • Nucleus -Protons (P) and neutrons (N)
  • Electrons (e)
  • Protons- Number defines the element
  • Neutrons– Number defines the isotope
  • Electrons– Number determines the chemical properties of the element
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6
Q

radioactive atoms

A
Atoms are either stable or unstable
-Stable – balanced
-Unstable - unbalanced (radioactive)
o Excess internal energy
o Radioactive/radionuclide
o Excess of neutrons or protons
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7
Q

radioactive materials (RAMs)

A
  • any material containing unstable (radioactive) atoms:
  • solids
  • liquids
  • gases
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8
Q

fissile material

A
  • radioactive material (RAM)
  • capable of nuclear fission (being split)
  • four types of uranium and plutonium are designated as fissile material for transportation purposes U-233 and U-235, Pu-239 and Pu-241
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9
Q

special nuclear material

A
  • special nuclear material- mildly radioactive, but in concentrated form, can be used as the ingredients of nuclear explosives
  • (Uranium-235 [U-235]), Plutonium-239 [Pu-239])
  • radioactive material (RAM)
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10
Q

radiation

A

-non-ionizing and ionizing

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11
Q

non ionizing

A
  • radio wave
  • microwave
  • infrared
  • radar
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12
Q

ionizing

A
  • alpha
  • beta
  • gamma/x-ray
  • neutron
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13
Q

energy emitted from a strong radiologic source has four categories

A
  • alpha
  • beta
  • gamma (x-rays)
  • neutron radiation
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14
Q

alpha radiation

A

-range in air is 1-2 inches

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15
Q

beta radiation

A
  • range in air is up to 30 feet

- most beta travels 10 feet or less

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16
Q

gamma radiation

A

range in air is 100s of feet

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17
Q

two types of background radiation

A
  • natural

- man made

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18
Q

natural background

A

->Cosmic
-Sun and outer space
-Differences in elevation
-Atmospheric conditions
-Earth’s magnetic field
• Average dose for cosmic radiation is 33 millirem/year
->Terrestrial
-rocks, soil, and sand
-radium, uranium, thorium, and potassium
-radon

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19
Q

chronic dose is better than huge dose of radiation

A

-true

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20
Q

radon

A
  • Responsible for most of the dose that
  • Americans receive each year
  • Odorless, tasteless, and invisible
  • Decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Found in outdoor air and indoor air in buildings
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21
Q

man made radiation

A
  • dental x-rays
  • CT scan
  • nuclear medicine
  • particle accelerator
  • industrial and commercial
  • consume products- smoke detector, glazed tiles
22
Q

radiation measurements

A
  • exposure
  • dose
  • contamination
  • R- roentgen
  • exposure- measure of ionization in air
  • exposure rate- measure of ionization produce in air per unit of time
23
Q

Rad

A

-radiation absorbed rate

24
Q

rem

A

-roentgen equivalent man

25
dose
-measured in rem
26
dose rate
-measured in rem/hr
27
Internation system of units (SI)
- the radiation units that are used may vary based of the discipline - response - medical national - international- border states may encounter SI units as part of federal repsonse
28
exposure types: external exposures
-Radioactive source outside the body -External exposure does not always result in contamination -The person is exposed to X-rays via penetration but is not contaminated by the radioactive source
29
exposure types: internal exposure
- Found in the human body - Water and organic matter - Ingested with food and water - Radeon inhale
30
contamination
- radioactive material is on a persons body or clothing and is emitting energy in the form of alpha, beta, gamma, and or neutron particles - must be on the person - scans do not contaminate the person
31
contamination: decontamination
``` -Washing, brushing, or using tape to clean exposed areas removes contaminants and reduces exposure. -Brushing is most applicable for removal of fallout. -Most hazardous particles are like fine sand-sized grains. -removal of clothing* biggest factor ```
32
exposure pathways
- inhalation - ingestion - absorption - injection
33
how does radiation affect the body
- low exposure- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache - moderate exposure- first degree burns, hair loss, compromised immune system (death of white blood cells), and cancer - severe exposure- second and third degree burns, cancer, and death
34
acute radiation dose
- burns - cells dont have time to recover - burns from chemicals not so much radiological burns - radiological burns take a bit longer
35
chronic radiation dose.
- body has time to recover and replace cells - cancer - more susceptible to infection
36
protective measures
- time - distance - shielding
37
response: gear
- level C protective gear | - level C equivalent: bunker gear (firefighter gear)
38
devices
- Some radiation measuring devices include RadAlert50 (mR/h range), Ludlum (Rem/h range), or Canberra mini radiac (mR/h and Rem/h) - do not need to know the names
39
radiologic dispersal devices (RDD)
-Any container designed to disperse radioactive material -Generally, requires a bomb (dirty bomb) -Has potential to injure with both radioactive material and explosives -Destructive capability is limited by explosives that are attached to it. -not readily available -> not the best weapon for mass destruction bc you cant have a lot -mostly just used for fear
40
dirty bomb
- doesn't have nuclear fission- > no explosion | - just spread radiation
41
radiologic exposure devices (RED)
- targets specific population or person - may be hidden in public - exposes people to radiation - hidden sealed sources
42
radiological incendiary device (RED)
-dirty fire
43
improvised nuclear device (IND)
- panic - fear - big scale - explosive - spreads radiation - used by terrorists
44
incident command procedures for radiological emergency
- life hazard - level of radiation - other hazards - risk versus benefit - 50 rem- lifesaving for a catastrophic event - 25 rem- lifesaving or protection of large populations - 10 rem- protection of major property - 5 rem- general operations at a radiological emergency
45
managing life hazards
- isolate - contain - evacuate- area surrounding too - decontaminate - emergency medical care
46
decontamination corridor
- emergency medical care - how should EMS personnel approach life threatening illness - in the warm zone - triage
47
hot zone
-hazardous material
48
warm zone
-decontamination corridor
49
cold zone
- incident commander | - command post
50
special considerations
-Additional resources, mutual aid? -Optimization of triage and treatment strategy? -Hospital notification, Department of Health, Poison Control Center -Alternate modes of patient transportation? -Transport of contaminated patients? -Decontamination of personnel/members of service (MOS) -Monitoring and report of absorbed total radiation dose of personnel/MO