In small towns and large cities alike, fire crews, hazmat teams, and other emergency personnel are often first on the scene where radiation could be present. Frequently, they are walking into extremely dangerous situations without knowing how much or what type of radiation is present.
These first responders must be able to identify potential radiation risks and then determine the source quickly and accurately to implement a proper safety plan. Emergency personnel responding to an accident need answers to several questions. First, “Is there radiation present?” If the answer is yes, they immediately need to ask, “What type of radiation is it, and how long is it safe to stay at the accident site?” The answers to these questions can impact health and safety, and innovative technology is essential to enable them to protect themselves and the public.
Potential Scenarios, Real Risks
A truck rolls along an interstate on its way to a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility. As it passes through a small town, a dangerous thunderstorm hits, and the truck overturns. The driver is unconscious. The containment system is damaged. First responders from the small county fire department race to the scene.
A fire starts in a hospital. A fast-responding fire unit is unaware of an X-ray machine or less obvious radiation or irradiation source nearby.
In both situations, critical questions with serious ramifications must be answered quickly and reliably.
In the case of the overturned truck, are the emergency response personnel equipped with the proper tools to quickly and reliably determine what type and quantity of hazardous waste material the truck is carrying, how best to clean it up, and how to establish an appropriate safety perimeter? If the answers are no, this scenario may lead to serious consequences—for the unconscious driver, the emergency response unit, and an unknown number of other potentially affected individuals.
In the case of the hospital fire, responders are equipped with a multigas detector to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed, but do they have the right technology to quickly detect radiation? Further, can they determine the source and whether the containment system has been compromised? Can they accurately verify the isotope, establish an appropriate safety perimeter, and determine how long they can stay there safely? If radiation is exposed and continues to disperse while crews have to wait for a bomb squad with the proper equipment, the threat to health and life may be significant.
The newest handheld personal radiation detectors (PRDs) can detect radiation, identify the class of radioactive agent, and identify the actual isotope present to provide quick and accurate answers. These analytical devices are highly sensitive and accurate, combining both gamma and neutron detection. Advanced technology can analyze the radiation field and immediately differentiate between artificial and natural radiation, eliminating nuisance alarms that can be generated by nonthreatening radiation sources. Certain PRDs are also ATEX-certified as “intrinsically safe” for use in and around flammable and potentially explosive atmospheres.
Detection Capability Alone Provides Insufficient Protection
Once first responders know that radiation is present and that the type requires further investigation, they need to quickly identify the source and the actual isotope, measure the amount,