epr-method (2003) - IAEA Publications - International Atomic Energy ...

Detection of elevated radiation levels
Description
Elevated radiation levels of ambient radiation or radioactive contamination in air, food/water or commercial products
(at the time of discovery of unknown origin) raising suspicion of an emergency situation of actual, potential or
perceived radiological significance.
Potential hazards
Elevated radiation levels of unknown origin in air/food/water/products resulting in significant exposure of the public 95
are very unlikely. However, if the elevated radiation levels in air or water are due to a significant release of radioactive
material from a facility in threat category I or II, contamination in excess of national and international standards is
possible. Allowing contaminated food/water/products in the international or local distribution system could have
serious economic consequences. Detection of elevated radiation levels in food or consumer products can indicate an
accident at a manufacturing facility, possibly from another State (e.g. accidental incorporation of an ‘orphan source’
into recycled scrap metal). There can be significant adverse and inappropriate public reaction (see Element A11.2) and
economic consequences if public and financial institution’s concerns are not promptly addressed. (See Element A2.15)
Emergency response
Incident commander (local officialnational official):
— Obtain radiological assessment assistance to identify and investigate the source of elevated
radiation levels and to assess possible impact and its radiological significance.
— Obtain public information officer (see Element A9.1) to provide information to the public.
— Evaluate all available information: retrace the sequence of events. Be aware of the possibility of
criminal acts. If illicit trafficking or any criminal act is suspected, notify appropriate law
enforcement authorities and integrate them into the ICS.
— Take actions to prevent contaminated products from entering the distribution system. Keep people
away from and remove potentially contaminated food or products from public use until they have
been assessed.
— Inform the public of the risk.
— Have the national competent authority notify the IAEA, if transnational emergency.
— Monitor public response and deal with inappropriate behaviour (see Element A11.2).
— If a lost or stolen dangerous source may be involved, implement, as appropriate, the action guide
for a Theft of a dangerous source.
— If radiological terrorism is suspected/confirmed implement, as appropriate, the action guide for
Credible or confirmed terrorist threats.
— If significant public contamination or exposure is possible implement, as appropriate, the action
guide for Public contamination/ exposure..
Radiological assessment (radiological assessornational team) (See Element A3.1):
— Increase the frequency of routine monitoring; enhance environmental and food monitoring; use
locations where contamination may have been introduced and possible contamination
concentrators (e.g. filters).
— Establish a system to take and analyse samples of contaminated items.
— Identify the contaminant and assess the radiological significance of contamination.
— Brief local/national officials on risks based on actual radiological data.
— Analyse the course of events and identify members of the public and workers (if any) who should
be checked for contamination.
95 Resulting in early health effects or warranting long term medical screening.
166