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

Intentional contamination of water supply
Actual or potential contamination of public water supplies.
Description
Potential hazards
It is probably impossible to contaminate a public water supply with a volume greater than 1000 m 3 to a level that
would result in doses that are immediately life threatening, or that would warrant long term medical follow-up. It
would be possible to contaminate water supplies to levels above the action levels recommended for emergencies
[Table A1-III]. However, water contaminated to levels of 100 or more times these levels could be consumed safely 100
for a limited time. 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. Restrictions of the
use of the water supply could result in public safety and sanitation concerns. Excess, radiation induced, cancers should
not be detected following this type of emergency, even if large amounts of radioactive material are involved.
Emergency response
Incident commander (lead first responder local officialnational official):
— Integrate the response (including law enforcement, investigative, radiological components and
public safety/administration) using the ICS (see Appendix 13). Operate from an incident command
post near the scene.
— Conduct immediate field assessment for indications that there may be radioactive contamination:
• Was a credible threat received?
• Is there a message at the scene?
• Radiation levels significantly above background (> 1 µSv/h) 101
— If radiological terrorism is suspected/confirmed: Request assistance from radiological assessor;
• Take action to prevent, delay, and reduce contamination of water supply if it will not have an immediate impact
on public health or safety.
— Evacuate workers from potential areas with high levels of contamination (e.g. site where
contamination may have been introduced) unless they are needed for continued safe operations.
— Restrict use of the water if replacement water is available.
— If replacement water is not available, allow use of levels up to 100 times the levels in Table A1-III
for a short time.
— Inform the public of the risk; note that consumption at levels of the water is safe if levels are < 100
times those in Table A1- III.
— If water with contamination levels above the levels in Table A1-III are being used have the medical
and radiological assessment teams conduct an assessment of the risks and make recommendations
– this can be dose with consultation with IAEA.
— Prepare for hoaxes once the threat is publicly known.
— Have the national competent authority notify potentially affected States and the IAEA if there are
indications that other States or their citizens may be affected (Transnational emergency - see
Element A2.15).
— 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 significant public contamination is possible, implement, as appropriate, the action guide for
Public contamination.
— If serious overexposure is suspected, implement, as appropriate, the actions for Serious
overexposure.
100 Will not result in early health effects or require long term medical monitoring (see Element A8.5).
101 There could be a significant radiological hazard even if gamma dose rates are at about background level (e.g. from Pu).
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