RE: Dirty Bomb - CNN Accuracy?

[epirad@mchsi.com]

Ed,



Thanks for your insights.  Do you know of any guidance 

statements on this issue from any organization including 

the HPS or medical/emergency response organizations?  I 

would assume there will some federal guidance down the 

road?  It would make sense to me to limit travel of 

exposed individuals and perform decontamination at a 

site a safe distance from any explosion.  



I just recall PCB transformer explosions in the SF area 

many years ago and the resultant residual contamination 

to the homes of those exposed.



Bill

> Our hospital, along with many others, while prepared to treat injury victims

> who may be contaminated, is not prepared to recieve individuals solely

> because they may be contaminated.  We do not have the facilities to

> decontaminate large numbers of uninjured personnel and would expect that

> first responders would direct only those individuals in need of ememrgency

> medical care to our facilities.  The likelihood of contamination from one of

> these incidents representing a true health risk is exceedingly small.  If

> the first responders are able to do so, decon at the sight would be ideal,

> but, if there are large numbers of trauma victims, it would not be realistic

> to expect that personnel and resources could or should be divierted to this

> low priority task.  Direct travel home with brief instructions in how to

> minimize spreading the contamination might very well be the best approach.

> 

> Edward C. Pombier

> Director

> University of Miami Radiation Control Center

> 

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