NOTE: The following tips and related information on radiological emergencies are taken from PNRI’s primer entitled Preparedness for Radiation-Related Emergencies Thru RADPLAN. RADPLAN was approved and signed on November 24, 2000 by former Secretary of National Defense Orlando S. Mercado. In addition, PNRI or Philippine Nuclear Research Institute is part of Department of Science and Technology which is the lead agency in developing and preparing an emergency plan for radiation-related accidents that may affect the Philippines. So, this article focusing more in Philippine context, but can be applied anywhere.
What is a radiation-related emergency or radiological emergency?
A radiation-related emergency or radiological emergency is an event that poses an actual, potential, or perceived danger to public health and safety from radioactive materials or radiation equipment.
What are the different types of radiological emergencies?
The different types of radiological emergencies are the following:-
• Emergency from fixed nuclear or radiation facilities
• Emergencies occurring in the transport or loss radioactive materials
• Emergencies from foreign sources having environmental or health impact on Philippines territories, including the possible entry of contaminated food, scrap metals and other materials
• Emergencies from nuclear-powered ships
• Emergencies from re-entry of satellites with nuclear materials as components
What are the levels of radiological emergencies?
The three levels of radiological emergencies that cover the wide range of preparedness and response levels are:-
Emergency Level 1 – Alert
A radiation-related accident has occurred in a nuclear-related facility but the event has not directly affected in the Philippines and the population in particular. Examples are radiological emergencies involving abnormal operating conditions due to equipment failure, human error or procedural inadequacies.
Emergency Level 2 – Site Area Emergency
A radiation-related emergency has occurred and has been confirmed to have affected a specifically defined area in the Philippines or the area within the site boundaries of a nuclear radiation facility.The actual or projected radiation levels at the site are expected to be insignificant quantities.
Emergency Level 3 – General Emergency
The radiological emergency has been confirmed to affect wide areas outside the site boundaries of the affected facility, or its effect has already been felt. Actual or projected radiation doses are beyond the prescribed limits for members of the public.
What is the emergency plan for radiation-related accidents in the Philippines?
The emergency plan for radiation-related accidents that may affect the Philippines is called the National Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (RADPLAN). The RADPLAN describes the capabilities, responsibilities, and authorities of participating organizations and a concept for integrating the activities of these agencies to protect public health and safety.
The RADPLAN aims to establish an organized emergency response to capability for timely and coordinated action of the Philippine authorities in a peacetime radiological incident or emergency.
What organizations will be involved in a national radiological emergency response?
The National Radiological Emergency Response Organization is composed of the National Disaster Coordinating Council; 12 government departments; Offices of the President and the Press Secretary; and the Philippine National Red Cross.
Under what conditions will the RADPLAN be activated?
The RADPLAN will be activated under the following conditions:-
• When a regional or local authority, other national organizations with jurisdiction, or the private sector requests government support in the event of a radiological emergency;
• When government agencies must respond to meet their statutory obligations in response to a radiological emergency.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the PNRI will make a joint formal declaration of the activation of the RADPLAN and will notify concerned participating agencies and the affected local disaster coordinating councils.
How will the operations in a national emergency be managed?
The management of the national response is determined by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). The national response requires the coordinated action of several national agencies and the appropriate authorities in the local government organizations that need assistance.
The concept of operations for a national response is designed to facilitate the delivery of coordinated assistance to government authorities and the private sector.
The OCD and PNRI are responsible to all radiological emergencies anywhere in the country. The OCD will coordinate all non-nuclear response activities while the PNRI will coordinate all nuclear response activities. The responsibilities of the PNRI in coordinating all national nuclear response activities are defined in another emergency plan known as the PNRI Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RESPLAN).
What should the public do in case of radiation-related emergencies?
In case of radiation-related emergencies, remember the following:-
• Do not panic. Remain calm.
• Protect yourself from radiation exposure. Make effective use of the principles of time, distance, and shielding (TDS).
• Stay indoors and close your windows.
• Watch out for emergency information from television and radios.
The TDS Principles
Time : The radiation dose is reduced if exposure time to the radioactive material is kept to a minimum.
Distance : Exposure dose is decreased the farther you are from the radiation source.
Shielding : Thick, heavy, and dense materials such as concrete, lead, earth or steel reduces the radiation intensity.
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