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Familiarization and Alarm Response Law Enforcement Sensitive

Irradiators 101. Familiarization and Alarm Response Law Enforcement Sensitive. Objectives. Familiarize responding officers with irradiators and their sources. Provide overview of what radiation is and how it effects the human body.

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Familiarization and Alarm Response Law Enforcement Sensitive

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  1. Irradiators 101 Familiarization and Alarm Response Law Enforcement Sensitive

  2. Objectives • Familiarize responding officers with irradiators and their sources. • Provide overview of what radiation is and how it effects the human body. • Provide guidance on how to respond to radioactive/ irradiator alarms. • Educate on how the radioactive sources can be used to harm life and property.

  3. What is an irradiator? • An irradiator is a device that uses radioactive sources to deliver controlled exposures of ionizing radiation to a target. • An Irradiator will contain sealed sources of Cesium Chloride Salt (Cesium-137) or Cobalt metal (Cobalt-60). • Some irradiators will contain more than one sealed source.

  4. Where to find irradiators • Hospitals • Blood Banks • Research Facilities • NIH currently has 24 irradiators • 21 irradiators on-campus • 3 irradiators off-campus

  5. Commonly Used Irradiators: Gammacell-1000 Gammacell-40 El Dorado CIS-US/ Pharmalucence J.L Shepherd Mark 1

  6. Irradiator Sources • Cobalt irradiators contain hundreds to tens of thousands of Curies of cobalt-60 (half-life = 5 yrs). • Outside of the chamber, radiation dose rate is near background. • Irradiator sources are made of cesium chloride salt or cobalt metal. • Cesium irradiators contain hundreds to thousands of Curies of cesium-137 (half-life = 30 yrs).

  7. Reason for High Security • In 2005, the U.S. Congress commissioned a study on civilian uses of radiation sources to identify those posing a high risk to public health or safety in the event of an accident or attack. • Study concluded that cesium chloride sources pose the highest nuclear security risk because of the ability to disperse easily in the event of a dirty bomb, and their commonplace presence in populated areas across the country. • Cobalt sources also pose an elevated risk.

  8. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) • Responsible for the regulation of all radioactive sources. Any facility producing or using a radioactive source, must register that source with the Commission.

  9. NRC Orders Increased controls were mandated by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) via two orders: • 2005: Requirement to implement access control program, surveillance program, and law enforcement response plan. • 2007: Requirement to include fingerprinting for personal identity verification and FBI criminal history records check for all personnel approved for unescorted access to an irradiator room.

  10. Things to know about Radiation • Three types of Radiation: • Alpha • Beta • Gamma • Radiation cannot be detected by human senses (does not smell, skin will not burn, eyes will not water, etc). • Must have detection device to determine if radiation is present. • The best way to minimize exposure to Gamma radiation is: time, distance and shielding

  11. Radiation • Shielding need for different types of Radiation: • Alpha- piece of paper, plastic, particle mask • Beta- heavy clothing, SCBA • Gamma- lead, thick brick or cinder block wall • Cesium-137 and Cobalt-60 are both Gamma sources of radiation.

  12. Radiation • Gamma radiation primarily measured in Curies and rems • 1,000 microrem in 1 millirem • 1,000 millirem in 1 rem • Therefor: 1,000,000 microrem = 1 rem • Normal background radiation in our area is between 5-15 microrem. • Normal yearly occupational dose rate is 5 rem or 5 million microrem.

  13. Radiation • Emergency response personnel involved in a hazmat entry for lifesaving and property protection activities are allowed an exposure of up to a “25 rem radiation dose”. In short: We are constantly being exposed to radiation- something to be aware of, not scared of.

  14. 10-4B24 Gammacell-1000High Radiation Task Times Life Saving Allowable Dose (25 rem)/Dose Rate = Available Task Time EXAMPLE: 12 Ft Dose Rate 27 R/hr Task time ~55 minutes 6 Ft Dose Rate 107 R/hr Task time ~13 minutes 3 Ft Dose Rate 429 R/hr Task time ~3 minutes Note: Dose rates and task times are approximate and for illustration purposes only 929 Curie Cs-137 Source 9/13/2010

  15. Methods used to secure radioactive sources: • Designated alarms on rooms containing irradiators. • Closed circuit cameras dedicated to the monitoring of irradiator rooms. • Low and high level radiation detection within rooms containing irradiators. • Private on-site security.

  16. Considerations when responding to alarms: • Irradiators do not expel radiation when sources are sealed within the unit. • Radioactive source must be transported in heavy shielded lead device to prevent exposure to subject. • The majority of animal research facilities will contain a irradiator. • Are there radiation detection devices available on-site? (ie. PRD)

  17. Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) • Worn on responding emergency personnel to detect and monitor levels of radiation. • About the size of a large pager, to be worn in pocket or on belt. • Alarms are activated at any presence of radiation, as well as high dose rates

  18. Dangers associated with Radiation • Acute exposure to high levels. • Radioactive Dispersal Device (RDD). • Radioactive Exposure Device (RED)

  19. Radioactive Dispersal Device • Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD)is any device that causes the purposeful dissemination of radioactive material without a nuclear detonation. • Radiological Dispersal Devicecan be of two general types. In both, radioactive material is dispersed into the environment. • Dispersal of radioactive materialvia explosive detonation, i.e., a combination of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and radioactive material. • Dispersal of radioactive materialvia non-explosive means, e.g., in food, water, soil, or air, etc. HHS Radiological Dispersal Device Playbook

  20. Radiation Exposure Device • RED- Radiological Exposure Device refers to a sealed radioactive source that is placed in a public place and causes exposure but not contamination to those in proximity. (Note: if an RED were to break open, it would then be similar to an RDD). HHS Radiological Dispersal Device Playbook

  21. Exposure vs. Contamination • Radiation exposure (or irradiation) occurs when radiation penetrates tissue, for example, when a patient undergoes a diagnostic X-ray. • A person can be irradiated without physically contacting radioactive material. Exposure results from radiation external to the victim, and the victim is NOT radioactive. This radiation can be in the air or on the ground. Internalized radiation can cause exposure. HHS Radiological Dispersal Device Playbook

  22. Exposure vs. Contamination • Radioactive contaminationis radioactive material located in unintended places. • Note: An exposed person is not necessarily contaminated. Exposure does not require contact with radioactive material. • As long as a person remains contaminated they will continue to be exposed to the radiation being emitted by the radioactive material with which they are contaminated. • Contamination can be external (outside of the body) or internal (inside of the body) or both. • External contamination is radioactive material on a person’s clothes, hair, or skin. • Internal contamination is radioactive material that has entered the body by inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through the skin or wounds. HHS Radiological Dispersal Device Playbook

  23. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) • Designee of facility who oversees all operations involving the radioactive sources. • Best resource from the facility for information regarding strength, location and accessibility of the radioactive source.

  24. Response to Irradiator Alarms • Inquire about the availability of K9 or ESU. • K9/ESU will verify if the facility contains enhanced security and if so, ask for more detailed information (alarm type, camera views, etc.). • K9/ESU will respond with PRD or dosimeter. • Ensure outside perimeter/containment is established. • Establish contact with on-site security or Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and K9/ESU. • Proceed to irradiator room with dosimeter or Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) capability.

  25. Things to know: • Very important to prevent source from leaving footprint of building. • Use your resources and consider your options. • Back away from source- remember time, distance and shielding. • ESU and K9 are equipped with PRDs and dosimeters. • Notify Fire Rescue HazMat to assist in containing the unshielded source. • Utilize on-site RSO’s to establish safe containment zone. • Currently there is no protective clothing capable of shielding Gamma radiation.

  26. Other important facts: • Of the 50+ irradiators in Montgomery County- almost half are controlled by NIH. • Security ranges from a locked alarmed door to the full on-site security – Not all alarms are what they are dispatched. • Neutron Products, Inc.- 22301 Mount Ephraim Rd Dickerson, MD 20842 is a major provider of the sources found within these irradiators. • All facilities containing irradiators or providing radioactive sources are marked as Homeland Security in CAD.

  27. Questions? • PO3 Carl Holland 6th District • SGT Kevin Parker SOD/ESU

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