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

cleaned up would depend on many factors (including the size and type of the source,
whether and how it had been dispersed, and the weather).
It would be highly unlikely for this amount of material to contaminate a public water supply
to dangerous levels, even if the radioactive material were highly soluble in water.
FOR ALL RANGES
Risks to responders: There will be little or no health risks to response personnel provided
that in taking response actions near any hazardous material they take normal precautions,
such as the use of respiratory protection against material released in a fire or explosion.
Limited stays (such as for rescues) near a radioactive source or material would probably not
be dangerous. There would be little or no health hazard to medical staff treating or
transporting exposed or contaminated persons provided that they protect themselves against
the inadvertent ingestion of radioactive material by the use of normal barrier methods such
as use of surgical gloves.
Other concerns: Public concern about any incident involving radioactive material must
always be duly considered regardless of the threat indicator. Significant adverse (and
unwarranted, in terms of the radiological risks involved) public reactions have occurred in
the past, even though the levels of contamination and exposure were not dangerous. Such
reactions have included having unnecessary abortions, discriminating against persons
wrongly taken to be infectious or otherwise to prevent risks, submitting to unnecessary and
invasive medical monitoring and treatment, and boycotting local businesses and products.
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