Although radiation accidents are rare and often complex in nature, they are of great concern not only to the patient and involved medical staff, but to the media and public as well. Yet there are few if any comprehensive publications on the medical management of radiation accidents. Medical Management of Radiation Accidents provides a complete refe
The Government and authorities in Brazil were faced with a tragic accident in Goiânia resulting from the misuse of a strongly radioactive medical teletherapy source not under radiation protection surveillance. The present report is divided into four parts: a chronology of destruction of the source, discovery of the accident and initial response; a description of the human consequences and the dosimetry and treatment of seriously exposed and contaminated persons; an account of the assessment of the environmental contamination and the remedial actions taken; and observations and recommendations. Appendices and annexes give an assessment of the effectiveness of international co-operation in the emergency response, and provide further information on: public communications; radiological survey equipment; guidelines for the discharge of patients; radiological protection; chemical decontamination; and the lessons learned.
Major radiation accidents cause widespread and common psychosocial problems independent of cultural, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic aspects of the location of the accident. As a doctor, nurse, or emergency room staff you are the first line of defense when these accidents happen. New developments over the past several years enable physicians to enhance survival and ease the discomfort of patients injured by radiation. The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims presents the current state-of-the-art in radiation medicine and focuses on the practical issues of importance to the clinicians and nurses who have responsibility for diagnosing, treating, and caring for the radiation-accident patient. Topics range from dose assessment to socioeconomic considerations, with extensive analyses of treatment options for exposure to different parts of the body. As a special feature, the work supplies case histories of six recent significant radiological accidents and also includes bibliographic references and index. You don't know when you may be involved in treating radiation-accident patients. In today's uncertain world, it could happen at any time. Drawing on the expertise of a wide variety of contributors, both within and outside of the field of radiation management, The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims provides further insight into the complex care and teamwork needed in the management of the acutely injured patient.
On 21 June 1990 a fatal radiological accident occurred at an industrial irradiation facility at Soreq, Israel. An operator entered the irradiation room by circumventing safety systems and was acutely exposed, with an estimated whole body dose of 10-20 Gy. The accident, like earlier accidents at similar irradiators, was the consequence of the contravention of operating procedures. An IAEA review team investigated the causes of the accident. This report presents its findings and recommendations and describes the clinical management of the patient, particularly of the haematological phase. The medical treatment included the use of emerging therapies with haematopoietic growth factor drugs which may rescue the overexposed patient, albeit in this case only temporarily. The report is intended for regulatory authorities responsible for the regulation and inspection of irradiators, operating organizations and physicians who may need to treat overexposed patients.
Accidents and terrorist attacks that lead to the release of radioactive materials can cause deaths, injuries, and a range of psychosocial effects in the surrounding community and team of emergency responders. In the United States, federal, state, and local agencies respond with the necessary resources to address the consequences of nuclear and radiological incidents and monitor the affected population. Following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and the 2017 Gotham Shield National Level Exercise, the CDC recognized an opportunity to improve their practices by establishing a more efficient and timely health effect surveillance system before another incident occurs. On March 12-13th, 2019, the National Academies convened a workshop to discuss the process for preparing a radiation registry for monitoring long-term health effects of populations affected by a nuclear or radiological incident. Participants assessed existing information, useful practices, and tools for planning a radiation registry that will enhance incident monitoring and response methods. This publication summarizes the discussions and presentations from the workshop.
A serious radiological accident occurred in Istanbul, Turkey, in December 1998 and January 1999 when two packages used to transport 60Co teletherapy sources were sold as scrap metal. This report gives an account of the circumstances which led to the accident and the medical aspects, and the lessons learned.
Offers basic data on more than 3,600 radionuclides. Emphasizes practical application such as basic research, acheo0logy and dating, medical radiology and industrial. Balanced and informative details on the biological effects of radiation and resultant controversy. Trimmed down student version of a product that costs many times the price.
In February 1999 a serious radiological accident occurred in Yanango, Peru, when a welder picked up an 192Ir industrial radiography source and put it in his pocket for several hours. This action resulted in his receiving a high radiation dose that necessitated the amputation of one leg. His wife and children were also exposed, but to a much less extent. The purpose of this report is to provide an account of the circumstances of the accident and its medical aspects.
As a result of arms control efforts over the past 50 years, nuclear material is subject to strict national controls and tough international treaties. But there are still almost no controls, other than a voluntary International Atomic Energy Agency code of conduct, on the sorts of radiological sources used to make radiological dirty bombs. Radiological sources are used all over the world for a wide range of peaceful purposes, including smoke detectors, medical devices, meteorology, mining and thermoelectric generators. There are at least eight million identified radiological sources worldwide. Their small size, portability and high value make them vulnerable to misuse and theft: the IAEA reported 272 cases of illicit trafficking in sealed radioactive sources between 1993 and 2002. The IAEA estimates that 110 countries worldwide still fail to impose adequate controls. The time is ripe for an international convention and treaty on the safety and security of radiological sources. This book covers expert discussions designed to enhance cooperation and assistance between NATO and Partner countries in support of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) efforts to secure radioactive sources against the threat of terrorism and also to support the security agenda at the International Radiation Protection Association Congress in Buenos Aires in 2008.
Sinc the dissolution of the Soviet Union the nuclear threats facing the world are complex and constantly evolving.This volume is structured to promote wide-ranging, multi-national exploration of critical technology needs and underlying scientific challenges to reducing the threat of nuclear/radiological terrorism; to illustrate through country-specific presentations how resulting technologies were used in national programs; and to outline the role of legal, policy and institutional frameworks in countering nuclear/radiological terrorism.
