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outlets, and advice for establishing clearly demarcated security
zones that increase the conspicuousness of unauthorized per-sons.
Ventilation
and Filtration. This section advises building managers
to evaluate mechanical air control systems from two per-spectives:
(1) to identify the extent to which weaknesses in the system
contribute to the vulnerability of building occupants; and (2)
to identify feasible means to minimize cross contamination from
exposed areas and of means to filter, neutralize, or expel released
CBR agents.
Maintenance,
Administration, and Training. The final topic addresses:
(1) incorporation of defined DBR release scenarios into general
emergency response plans for the building’s occupants,
including regular practice drills; (2) focused training for
HVAC maintenance staff regarding response procedures in case
of a CBR release and regarding safety risks to both the building
occupants and maintenance personnel; and (3) development of
procedures for regular, scheduled maintenance to ensure constant,
optimal performance of the HVAC system.
The guide recognizes that “physical security is he first
layer of defense.” It cautions, however, that reduction
of a building’s vulnerability to CBR attach requires a
comprehensive approach. The practical usefulness of particular
recommended measures will vary, depending on the “threat
profile” and “security assessment” of any
particular building and its occupants. For instance, the corporate
headquarters of an internationally recognized corporation may
warrant more intensive—and expensive—measures than
would a retail store in a small town. The evaluation may change,
however, if the retail establishment is frequented by soldiers
from a nearby, well known military base, or if the business
has potential significance as an internationally recognized
American brand. Wherever an establishment falls on the spectrum
of risk, “the goals are to make your building an unattractive
target for a CBR attack and to maximize occupant protection
in the event that such an attack occurs.”
The complete guide is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh.
Copies also may be obtained by calling 800, 356-4674, and requesting
NIOSH Publication No. 2002-139. For more information, contact
Jackson Lewis or members of its OSHA Practice Group: Edwin G.
Foulke, Jr., Rogers S. Kaplan, or Robert M. Wood. (From Perspectives,
public sector practice specialty newsletter of the American
Society of Safety Engineers.)
CASUALTY
MANAGEMENT AFTER A DELIBERATE RELEASE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
This document contains recommended immediate actions for police,
firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who may be faced
with a nuclear terrorist act.
The
Situation. A conventional explosion has scattered radioactive
material, saboteurs blew up a truck carrying radioactive material,
or an aerosol containing radioactive material has been
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spread
over a large area. There may be some injured people and, in
the latter situation, there may be hundreds of contaminated
or exposed people.
Protecting
Yourself
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Approach the release with caution. Position personnel, vehicles,
and command post at a safe distance upwind and up-hill of
the site, if possible. Ensure your own physical safety. Look
for fires, exposed high-voltage wires, sharp or falling objects,
tripping hazards, or hazardous chemicals. Be alert for changing
conditions.
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Wear a mask to reduce the dose from inhalation of radioactive
dust. Ideally the mask should be a full face mask with a HEPA
filter, but even breathing through a wet handkerchief or
cloth will help. There will be little danger from radioactive
gases, so a self contained breathing mask, while effective,
is not necessary unless there are other gases or toxins present.
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Dust will collect on your clothes. Remove and discard them
after you leave the area. Bag the clothing for later disposal.
If you fail to remove them, you will continue to receive radiation
and expose others. Wear loose fitting clothes covering as
much of your body as possible. Any removable garment that
will prevent the dust from coming into direct contact with
your skin will suffice.
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Open wounds or abrasions must be protected from radioactive
contamination.
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If running water or showers are available, full body rinsing
with lukewarm water is advised. Even a fire hose may remove
most contamination not already removed with the outer clothing.
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Do not eat, drink, or smoke while exposed to potentially radioactive
dust or smoke. Drinking water may be necessary for people
working in high temperatures with bulky protective clothing.
If absolutely necessary to drink water, drink from a canteen
or other closed container. Beware of heat strain.
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If radiation measuring instruments are available, place them
in plastic bags to prevent their contamination and use them
to map the areas leading up to the highest dose rates. Do
not enter the areas of highest dose rate except to save lives,
and then make the entry as brief as possible.
Protecting
the Injured and Exposed
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Seriously injured people should be removed from the source
of radiation, stabilized, and sent to hospitals first.
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After treatment of serious physical injuries, preventing the
spread of the radioactive material or unnecessary exposure
of other people is paramount. Carry out the following immediate
response actions without waiting for any radiation measurements:
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Establish an exclusion zone around the source.
Mark the area with ropes or tape. Reroute traffic. Limit entry
to rescue personnel only. Detain uninjured people
who were near the event or who are inside the control zone until
they can be checked for radioactive contamination, but do not
delay treatment or injured people to transport to a hospital for
this purpose.
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