Types of strongradiationstrong mass casualties and their management.pdfVIP

246 Ann Ist super sAnItà 2009 | Vol. 45, no. 3: 246-250 e c Types of radiation mass casualties n e I r e and their management p x E l Alicja Jaworska A c I Department of Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Radioactivity, n I Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Oesteraas, Norway l C o t g Summary. Management of radiation mass casualty exposure that may occur as a result of nuclear or n I radiation accident will depend on the type of accident, and of the knowledge about the actual radia- t s e tion exposure situation for those who might be involved. Management of the public after an acci- T l dent in a nuclear or radiation installation will follow existing specific emergency plans, and will take A advantage of existing radiation monitoring systems. In other radiation mass casualty exposures, m I whenever accidental or malevolent use of radiation, there will be a requirement to employ screening n A programs for indentifying and sorting out exposed people (radiological triage), who will need medi- m cal treatment and/or other assistance like decontamination and individual dose assessment. In the o r later stage after the accident the monitoring for dose assessment purposes for those who will need f H medical or public health assistance will be required. Demand for dose assessment for large groups c of individuals may create the need for international assistance. Prompt and credible public informa- r A tion is vital in all radiation emergencies, and it would be even more important in situations when e s radiation mass casualties result from exposures to nuclear or radiological material out of regulatory e R