If there is a nuclear or radiological emergency, what should you do?
There is not a single answer for all situations. Managing personal exposure to radioactivity during an ionizing radiation hazard depends on several factors. Depending on where you are, official communications may offer the best and most timely advice, however, there are times, places, and situations where you may not have access to good guidance. Knowledge and information you have ready access to may be your best alternative in a bad situation.
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published a fact sheet (https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=1114) that offers a short guide to key concepts related to threats from radioactivity and how to reduce those dangers. A few key points are:
Minimize exposure: Ways to reduce danger from ionizing radiation include: increase the distance to a radioactive source, increase the amount of shielding material (for example, walls, dirt, even trees) between the source and your body, and reduce the amount of time spent close to the source(s) of radiation.
Shelter in place: In many circumstances, you will be safer inside a sealed building rather than outside attempting to evacuate. A sturdy building or a basement offers shielding, whereas pedestrians and people in cars have virtually no protection. However, some structures may not provide sufficient protection relative to the threat. This uncertainty is best met with more knowledge.
Knowledge is power: Use of a detector to measure radiation may provide you with an enhanced understanding of your environment. Access to dedicated radiation detector (Geiger Counter, Scintillator, etc.) can often provide high-precision data with which you can assess outside vs. inside radiation levels. With that knowledge, you can make better decisions about whether to shelter in place or evacuate. However, many people lack such detectors. Image Insight Inc produces GammaPix™ software that uses unmodified digital cameras as a sensor to measure ionizing radiation dose rate. While not a replacement for dedicated and calibrated detectors, smartphones running GammaPix apps and computers running GammaPix software on digital video has been repeatedly proven to be a cost-effective way to detect radiological threats. GammaPix software has twice been designated a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (QATT) under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security administered SAFETY Act program.
The time to prepare is now: To be ready for an emergency, you need to first learn the basics and then get your tools and supplies in order.
Read the FEMA fact sheet and gather more information from reputable sources.
Get a detector or install GammaPix so you are ready before there’s a problem
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