[ RadSafe ] Radiation scare tactics

[Brennan, Mike (DOH)]

Hi, Danny.

A nuclear detonation is a very different animal than an RDD or more mundane contamination, and I actually expect that first responders will rise to the occasion.  But even with a nuke detonated at ground level, maximizing contamination concentrations, rad isn't going to be the biggest risk faced by first responders, and contamination on patients isn't likely to be the biggest risk to hospital staff (the biggest rad risk to the hospital is if it is in the plume, in which case they are just hosed.) 

-----Original Message-----
From: McClung, Danny [mailto:Danny.McClung2 at va.gov] 
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 10:27 AM
To: Brennan, Mike (DOH); JOHN.RICH at sargentlundy.com; radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Radiation scare tactics

Now think of the first respondeds reaction to a very large boom and mushroom cloud.  How is that going to work?

I say this as I sit listening to a panel discussion in DC concerning the saving of lives after a catastrophic event known as detonation of an IND. Just think about it.

Danny K. McClung, BS, RRPT
Health Physics Consultant
Program Manager, 
Medical Emergency Radiological Response Team
Office of Public Health and
Environmental Hazards
Veterans Health Administration
202.527.2323
----------------------
Sent using BlackBerry


----- Original Message -----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu <radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu>
To: JOHN.RICH at sargentlundy.com <JOHN.RICH at sargentlundy.com>; radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Sent: Thu Apr 29 13:20:07 2010
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Radiation scare tactics

Hi, John.  

I concur.  I am not in favor of providing first responders with
radiation detection instruments unless their management is willing to
commit to an ongoing training program that will teach them how to
properly interpret what they might see (and then I'd want to see them
commit money for several years in advance).  

I have talked to firemen who told me that if the "radiation meter"
alarms they will sit back and wait until the State radiation people get
there, no matter what is going on.  I can see a nursing home burn down
with fire trucks fleeing the scene, because someone who had received
I-131 the day before had left a handprint on the door (I exaggerate.
Maybe.)  I was dismayed and amused at the level of fear demonstrated by
people who have "enter burning building" on their job description.  

As for hospitals; it is almost embarrassing the way some of the policy
makers react to the possibility of contamination.  The was one that
spent several hundred thousand dollars for a tent and decon suite, with
the idea that in the case of something that MIGHT be an RDD all patients
would be deconned before being allowed into the ER.  They were
unconvinced when it was pointed out that measures to control pathogens
are quite effective in stopping the spread of radioactive contamination.
The finally gave up the preemptive decon when it was pointed out that
people would die from delayed treatment, and that the hospital would be
sued and loose.