I
put this list together to help advise the public. I would appreciate your
comments. I tried to keep it simple and practical.
Susan
McElrath
Surviving
a Dirty Bomb
These
instructions are intended for uninjured or mildly injured persons in the
vicinity of a so-called dirty bomb,
a conventional weapon which also disperses relatively common radioactive
materials.
Do
not panic.
A dirty bomb is thousands of times less dangerous than a nuclear weapon
like they type used in Japan
at the end of World War II. The fact that you have survived the initial
explosion and you are not badly injured probably means you are going to
be okay.
Take
a shower.
After the initial shock is over and you have gotten away from the blast
scene, remove your clothes and take a shower. Place discarded clothing
in a garbage bag. Chances are the on-scene responders will provide some
sort of shower facility.
Do
not retrieve vehicles or personal effects
that are near the blast scene, especially if they are coated with visible
dust from the blast.
Do
not eat or drink anything that was near the scene,
especially items which are not packaged. (Fresh fruits, water from open
containers, etc.)
Don’t
waste time looking for iodine pills.
These are probably not useful for the type of radioactive material you
have perhaps been exposed to.
Do
not flood the emergency room or your doctor’s office
with non-emergency calls or visits. The possibility that you may have been
exposed to some radioactive material is not an emergency in light of the
overall situation. After the situation calms down a bit, you will probably
want to discuss with a doctor the risks to your health caused by any radioactive
material exposure. There is a good chance you will be afforded the opportunity
to participate in long-term health monitoring.
Keep
in touch
with reliable media sources for further information.
Susan
McElrath
voice:
(770) 222-0829
cell:
(770) 633-8591
smhp@bellsouth.net