Emergency Management Services of King County

Photo: Workers in radiation protective gear

Radiation can result from an accident at a fixed nuclear facility, research or medical facility utilizing radiological materials in their processes, or from a nuclear detonation. Radiological materials are very similar to chemical materials. They usually do not kill humans outright. Exposure to a lethal dose would require very large amounts of radioactive material at fairly close range. While the time required for a material to decay and render itself inert varies widely, many materials can persist in the environment from years to centuries at levels that can impact humans and the environment.

Radioactive materials may also be used to perpetuate a terrorist act, and are classified as "Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)" when adopted with malicious intent. WMD can be categorized as belonging to one or more of the following groups: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive. Title 18, U.S.C. 2332a, includes the accepted definition for weapons of mass destruction in the United states: "(1) any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title [which reads] any explosive, incendiary, or bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than one quarter ounce, mine or device similar to the above; (2) poison gas; (3) any weapon involving a disease or organism; or (4) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life."

The usefulness of radioactive materials to terrorists is derived from a long-term civilian exposure to moderate amounts of radiation and the difficulty of sanitizing the impacted area. Radioactive materials are similar to chemical and biological agents in that they cannot be obviously observed by the public. As a result, a radiation-related terrorist attack can deliver a significant psychological impact to the community.

Hazard-specific Preparedness Steps

Be prepared to evacuate with your emergency supplies kit or shelter-in-place in your home.
Make a list of potential shelters near your home, workplace, and school. These places would include basements or the windowless center area of middle floors in high-rise buildings, as well as subways and tunnels.
Be observant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
Be prepared for any type of "terrorism" event.
See General Preparedness Steps below for more disaster planning basics.

Response Steps

If inside, stay inside. If directed to do so, shelter-in-place unless instructed by authorities to leave. Close windows and doors, turn off air conditioners, heaters and other ventilation systems. Stay near the center of the building, preferably an interior room. If there is a basement, go there. Once the initial blast is over, radioactive materials can be spread in smoke and debris in the air. By staying inside you reduce any potential exposure to airborne radioactive material.
If you are warned of a radiation release inside, cover nose and mouth and go outside immediately. Look for a building or other shelter that has not been damaged and quickly get inside.
If you are outside seek shelter indoors immediately in the nearest undamaged building. If appropriate shelter is not available, move as rapidly as is safe upwind and away from the location of the explosive blast. Then seek appropriate shelter as soon as possible.
Remember: To limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to, think about shielding, distance and time.

Shielding: If you have a thick shield between yourself and the radioactive materials more of the radiation will be absorbed by the shielding material, and you will be exposed to less.

Distance: The farther away you are away from the blast and the fallout the lower your exposure.

Time: Minimizing time spent exposed will also reduce your risk.

Listen to your weather radio and local radio/TV stations for current information.
Follow instructions - the best way to avoid exposure to radiation is to do what experts advise. If told to evacuate, do so promptly. Listen for news about the location of the radioactive cloud. Even if it has already passed, radioactive contamination may have fallen on the ground and experts will recommend the best ways to safely leave the area.
If you think you have been exposed to radiation, carefully take off the outer layer of your clothing and put it in a plastic bag; then take a warm shower to rinse off any radioactive materials. Place the sealed bag in a room away from people.

See "related links" for more details on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from this type of a disaster or emergency.

General Preparedness Steps

Have and practice a family disaster plan.
Establish meeting places and phone numbers in case family members are separated.
Identify an out-of-state contact to call during a major disaster or emergency; it will be easier to call out of the area if local lines are tied up.
Make sure everyone knows when and how to call 9-1-1.
Keep your disaster supply kits up to date. Make sure you have kits for your home, vehicle, work and school.
Get a tone-alert NOAA Weather Radio to receive emergency notifications and up-to-date information and instructions.
Teach all family members when, where and how to turn off utilities. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment, such as a wrench, handy.
Make sure you understand the emergency plans and expectations at your child's school and your work.
Preplan alternate transportation routes to and from work and other important destinations.
Be sure to keep at least a half-tank of gas in your vehicle at all times; power outages often accompany disasters and gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
Know ahead of time what you should do to help family, friends or neighbors who are elderly or have special needs.

See "related links" for more details on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from this type of a disaster or emergency.

Emergency Services Prepare & Respond News and Resources Plans & Programs Sound Shake '08 Enhanced 911 program About Us	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT EMERGENCY SERVICES Office of Emergency Management You're in: Emergency Services print Emergency Management Services of King County Radiation can result from an accident at a fixed nuclear facility, research or medical facility utilizing radiological materials in their processes, or from a nuclear detonation. Radiological materials are very similar to chemical materials. They usually do not kill humans outright. Exposure to a lethal dose would require very large amounts of radioactive material at fairly close range. While the time required for a material to decay and render itself inert varies widely, many materials can persist in the environment from years to centuries at levels that can impact humans and the environment. Radioactive materials may also be used to perpetuate a terrorist act, and are classified as "Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)" when adopted with malicious intent. WMD can be categorized as belonging to one or more of the following groups: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive. Title 18, U.S.C. 2332a, includes the accepted definition for weapons of mass destruction in the United states: "(1) any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title [which reads] any explosive, incendiary, or bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than one quarter ounce, mine or device similar to the above; (2) poison gas; (3) any weapon involving a disease or organism; or (4) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life." The usefulness of radioactive materials to terrorists is derived from a long-term civilian exposure to moderate amounts of radiation and the difficulty of sanitizing the impacted area. Radioactive materials are similar to chemical and biological agents in that they cannot be obviously observed by the public. As a result, a radiation-related terrorist attack can deliver a significant psychological impact to the community. Hazard-specific Preparedness Steps Be prepared to evacuate with your emergency supplies kit or shelter-in-place in your home. Make a list of potential shelters near your home, workplace, and school. These places would include basements or the windowless center area of middle floors in high-rise buildings, as well as subways and tunnels. Be observant and report suspicious activities to the authorities. Be prepared for any type of "terrorism" event. See General Preparedness Steps below for more disaster planning basics. Response Steps If inside, stay inside. If directed to do so, shelter-in-place unless instructed by authorities to leave. Close windows and doors, turn off air conditioners, heaters and other ventilation systems. Stay near the center of the building, preferably an interior room. If there is a basement, go there. Once the initial blast is over, radioactive materials can be spread in smoke and debris in the air. By staying inside you reduce any potential exposure to airborne radioactive material. If you are warned of a radiation release inside, cover nose and mouth and go outside immediately. Look for a building or other shelter that has not been damaged and quickly get inside. If you are outside seek shelter indoors immediately in the nearest undamaged building. If appropriate shelter is not available, move as rapidly as is safe upwind and away from the location of the explosive blast. Then seek appropriate shelter as soon as possible. Remember: To limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to, think about shielding, distance and time. Shielding: If you have a thick shield between yourself and the radioactive materials more of the radiation will be absorbed by the shielding material, and you will be exposed to less. Distance: The farther away you are away from the blast and the fallout the lower your exposure. Time: Minimizing time spent exposed will also reduce your risk. Listen to your weather radio and local radio/TV stations for current information. Follow instructions - the best way to avoid exposure to radiation is to do what experts advise. If told to evacuate, do so promptly. Listen for news about the location of the radioactive cloud. Even if it has already passed, radioactive contamination may have fallen on the ground and experts will recommend the best ways to safely leave the area. If you think you have been exposed to radiation, carefully take off the outer layer of your clothing and put it in a plastic bag; then take a warm shower to rinse off any radioactive materials. Place the sealed bag in a room away from people. See "related links" for more details on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from this type of a disaster or emergency. General Preparedness Steps Have and practice a family disaster plan. Establish meeting places and phone numbers in case family members are separated. Identify an out-of-state contact to call during a major disaster or emergency; it will be easier to call out of the area if local lines are tied up. Make sure everyone knows when and how to call 9-1-1. Keep your disaster supply kits up to date. Make sure you have kits for your home, vehicle, work and school. Get a tone-alert NOAA Weather Radio to receive emergency notifications and up-to-date information and instructions. Teach all family members when, where and how to turn off utilities. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment, such as a wrench, handy. Make sure you understand the emergency plans and expectations at your child's school and your work. Preplan alternate transportation routes to and from work and other important destinations. Be sure to keep at least a half-tank of gas in your vehicle at all times; power outages often accompany disasters and gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps. Know ahead of time what you should do to help family, friends or neighbors who are elderly or have special needs. See "related links" for more details on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from this type of a disaster or emergency. Related Internal Links Personal Preparedness Basic - Better - Best! NOAA Tone Alert Radio Shelter-in-Place Terrorism Radiological Emergencies Public Health Disaster Preparedness Information Emergency Management Agencies Contact Info Related External Links Disaster Preparedness Handbook FEMA Hazards - Nuclear and Radiological READY America - Radiation Threat Are You Ready? Technological Hazards Are You Ready? Nuclear Blast Are You Ready? Radiological Dispersion Device FEMA Radiological Accidents Fact Sheet Are You Ready? Terrorism Are You Ready? Recovering From a Disaster Radiation Protection Basics from the US Environmental Protection Agency Nuclear and Radiation Attack information from the Federal Citizen Information Center American Red Cross/Centers For Disease Control - Shelter-in-Place
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	Updated: April 21, 2008