Scenario 2: Emergency procedures Part 2
This post focuses on emergency procedures to be carried out in the case of injuries due to radiological hazards. In this context, injury types are broadly segmented into two categories; severe injuries and minor injuries (not requiring hospitalisation). Treatment should be conducted immediately to minimise detriment to the injured person.
Treatment of serious injuries takes precedence over any other consideration and assistance to the jured should be provided immediately, regardless of radiation contamination.
In case of serious injuries:
- Flush contaminated minor cuts with large volumes of tepid running water, while spreading the edges of the gash.
- Remove the individual from the contaminated area.
- Use an emergency shower to rapidly wash off or dilute the contaminant. Watch out for slippery floors.
- Remove contaminated clothing and isolate for later evaluation.
- If necessary, flush eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Cotton swabs can be used to clean ear and nasal passages.
- Provide a blanket or dry clothing to the individual and have them sit down when possible to avoid fainting due to the shock of the cold water and the stress of the situation.
- If ingestion of contamination is suspected, consider the need to perform timely bioassay.
- Notify the lab supervisor and appropriate personnel, requesting emergency medical assistance
- Advise the lab supervisor of the radiation hazard, the amount and chemical form of the material, any other important information
- Advise emergency personnel of the radioactive material, extent of contamination, nature of the injuries and other relevant information. Be available for further consultation
- Ensure that the victim cannot be further contaminated by radioactive material
- Minimize the possibility of contamination of emergency medical personnel. Ensure that they do not take personal risk.
- Notify permit holder immediately: RPS (Remedial Priority Scoring) will be notified by Campus Police.
In case of minor wounds:
- Treat the wound immediately at or near the site of the accident
- Clean the affected area with sterile swabs
- Wash the contaminated wound with warm water to encourage minor bleeding
- Wet skin and apply soap
- Work up a good lather; keep lather wet.
- Work lather into contaminated area by rubbing gently for two or three minutes. Apply water frequently.
- Rinse area with tepid water.
- Repeat procedure several times if necessary, using a soft brush to gently scrub the affected area. Discontinue before skin becomes abraded or sensitive. Apply hand cream if skin becomes chapped.
- If your hands are contaminated, pay particular attention to monitoring between fingers and under nails. Clip nails if necessary to remove fixed contamination. Only after several attempts with soap and water should harsher decontamination methods and cleaning agents are considered
- The benefits of decontamination should be weighed against the potential injury caused by harsher methods of decontamination.
- In the case of facial wounds, protect the mouth, ears, eyes and nose from contamination
- Wash wound with mild soap and water, repeating as necessary.
- After decontamination, apply first aid dressing.
- Notify the permit holder and RPS immediately.
References:
Elmer, P. (2011). Guide to the Safe Handling of Radioactive Materials in Research. Retrieved from http://shop.perkinelmer.com/content/manuals/gde_safehandlingradioactivematerials.pdf
Furr, A. K. (2000) CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety. (5th ed.). FL: CRC Press.
Nave, C., R. (2011). Radioactivity. Retrieved from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/radact.html
Princeton University. (2007). Radiation Safety Guide. Retrieved from http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/radsafeguide/rsg_sec_17.htm
Tangen, L. (Ed.). (2006) Handling radioactive waste. Retrieved from Norwegian University of Science and Technology website: http://www.ntnu.no/hms/retningslinjer/HMSR35E.pdf
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Radiation Protection: Health Effects. Retrieved from http://epa.gov/radiation/understand/health_effects.html
Labels: emergency procedures, scenario 2, skin decontamination, wounds
Scenario 2: Radioisotopes, Radioactivity & the Hazards of Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation
A radioisotope is a derivative of a chemical element that has an unstable nucleus and emits radiation while it decays to a stable form. (An isotope being an alternative of a chemical element that has a different atomic mass)
Radioactivity is the emission of particles from the nuclei as a result of nuclear instability.
Radioisotopes decay and emit radiation, specifically alpha (α) rays, beta (β) rays and gamma (γ) rays. In rare cases, the decay of these radioisotopes (eg. uranium or radium) may result in the production of high speed neutrons which get released during nuclear fission. (Hawkhill, 2007)
The following image illustrates the respective deflections of the particles.
Image obtained from http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age14-16/Nuclear%20physics/text/Magnetic_deflection_of_radiations/index.html
The differing deflections is due to the differing charges and the mass of the particles. α particles are positively charged and much larger, thus the angle of deflection would be smaller and in a different direction as compared to β particles which are significantly lighter and negatively charged, thereby resulting in a larger angle of deflection in the opposite direction. γ particles do not contain a charge, thus there is no angle of deflection when the particle passes through the magnetic field.
The differing penetrating powers of the respective particles is illustrated in the image below.
Image obtained from http://www.imagesco.com/articles/geiger/build_your_own_geiger_counter.html
The order of penetrative power is as follows: α < β < γ, with α being of the lowest penetrative power and γ having the highest penetrative power.
Alpha (α) radiation: Releases α particles that are identical in mass and charge with a 4He nucleus and are the largest amongst the 3 types of particles. They generally carry more energy than γ or β particles, and release that energy quickly while passing through tissue.
> α particles can be stopped by a thin layer of light material, e.g. a sheet of paper, and cannot penetrate the outer, dead layer of skin. Therefore, they do not damage living tissue when outside the body.
>However, if inhaled or swallowed, they emit relatively large amounts of ionizing energy which are detrimental to living cells.
> Contains extensive destructive power but only within a short range.
> When in contact with rapidly dividing membranes and living cells, it can cause maximum damage.
> Possibly one of the main reasons for lung cancer.
Beta (β) radiation: Releases β particles that are identical in mass and charge with a 22Na atom
> A thin sheet of aluminum can stop β particles but these particles are able to penetrate the dead skin layer, potentially causing burns. Thus they pose as a serious direct or external radiation threat and can be lethal depending on the degree of exposure.
> Radiation hazard is the greatest when β particles are ingested or inhaled.
> If there is damage inflicted on the generative cells of the ovaries or testes by β particles, the damage may be hereditary. It can only occur when β radiation has contributed to the mutation of the gene pool.
Gamma (γ) radiation: High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by certain radioisotopes during nuclei transition from a higher to a lower energy state. The gamma (γ) rays have high energy and a short wave length.
> All γ rays emitted from a given isotope have the same energy, which is a characteristic that enables scientists to identify which gamma emitters are present in a sample.
> γ rays are able to penetrate tissue deeper than α or β particles, but leave a lower concentration of ions in their path to potentially cause cell damage.
> It is the most useful type of radiation in the medicinal field. However, it is also the most dangerous due to its high penetrative power which thereby allows penetration through thick and large materials.
> It has the ability to damage living cells, causing the cell to slow down by transferring its energy to surrounding cell components.
References:
Ellis, J. G. & Riches, N. J. (1978). Safety and Laboratory Practice. UK: The Macmillan Press Ltd.
Gibbs, K. (2011). Deflection of α, β, γ particles in a magnetic field [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age14-16/Nuclear%20physics/text/Magnetic_deflection_of_radiations/index.html
Hawkhill Associates. (2007). Radiation [DVD]. Madison, WI: Hawkhill Associates, Inc.
Images Scientific Instruments. (2007). Penetration Power of Radioactivity [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://www.imagesco.com/articles/geiger/build_your_own_geiger_counter.html
Nave, C., R. (2011). Radioactivity. Retrieved from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/radact.html
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards. (2011). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press
Tangen, L. (Ed.). (2006) Handling radioactive waste. Retrieved from Norwegian University of Science and Technology website: http://www.ntnu.no/hms/retningslinjer/HMSR35E.pdf
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Radiation Protection: Health Effects. Retrieved from http://epa.gov/radiation/understand/health_effects.html
Labels: alpha radiation, beta radiation, gamma radiation, hazards, radioactivity, radioisotopes, scenario 2
