Nuclear, Biological and

Chemical Protective Actions

Paul Hubenthal

As of: 5 Sep 2011

Overview

• Plan, Plan, Plan

• Nuclear

• Biological

• Chemical

• Sheltering

Have a Plan

• Designate primary/secondary evacuation routes • Designate a meeting place (cell phones wont work)

– Determine what to do with your pets– Write down and share your plan

• Create a disaster preparedness kit– 3-7 gal of water per person– Non-perishable food (chocolate)– First aid kit– Battery-powered radio (news and announcements)– Flashlights– Extra batteries

Have a Plan (cont)

• Create a disaster preparedness kit (cont)

– Cash (ATMs wont work)– Important documents (identification)– Pet care items– Any other special items you may need (medication)

Types of Nuclear Radiation

A nuclear blast is an explosion with intense light and heat, a damaging pressure wave, and widespread radioactive material that can contaminate the air, water, and ground surfaces for miles around.

• Nuclear blast energy distribution

• Radiation hazards

Before a Nuclear Blast

• Make list of potential shelters near home, work & school• Shelters include basements or the windowless center

area of middle floors in high-rise buildings, as well as subways and tunnels.

• During periods of increased threat increase your disaster supplies to be adequate for up to two weeks

• There are two kinds of shelters - blast and fallout. – Blast shelters are specifically constructed to offer some

protection against blast pressure, initial radiation, heat, and fire– Fallout shelters do not need to be specially constructed for

protecting against fallout; any protected space, provided that the walls and roof are thick and dense enough to absorb the radiation given off by fallout particles

Nuclear Protective Actions3 factors for protection from radiation and fallout are 1)

distance, 2) shielding, and 3) time

Initial Actions• Find shelter providing greatest protection (underground)

• Use window barriers and shielding to improve protection for buildings or shelters

• Upon seeing nuclear flash, seek protection from blast wave, heat & flying debris (Don’t look at flash or fireball)

• If detonation occurs without warning, immediately drop to prone position. Tightly cover face with both hands.

• Don’t move until initial blast wave & any reflected blast waves have passed (could take 30 secs or more for blast wave to hit)

Home Radiation Protection

Home Radiation Protection (cont)

Nuclear Protective Actions (cont)

Follow-on Actions• Remain in protected areas or shelters until all clear• Perform damage assessment, self-aid and buddy care,

and reporting actions• Decon yourself by brushing dust/fallout off of your clothing

or by blotting away with adhesive tape–Rinse exposed skin• Limit radiation exposure by minimizing time spent outside

in contact with fallout, and maximizing time in shelter and distance from radiation

• Radioactive fallout can be carried by winds for hundreds of miles

Nuclear Protective Actions (cont)

Nuclear Concerns• The primary products of a nuclear detonation are:

– Blast and shock– Thermal radiation (heat)– Nuclear radiation– Ballistic debris for surface

and shallow sub-surface bursts

Nuclear Protective Actions (cont)

Types of Nuclear Radiation• Initially at the time of the burst, or delayed as fallout

– Alpha–harmful if internalized– Beta–may cause skin burns; harmful if ingested– Gamma–destroys living cells; harmful when exposed– Neutron–emitted only during detonation (most harmful)

Radiation

Radiation Sickness– Caused by radiation destroying cells within the

body at a rate the body cannot overcome– Radiation sickness is not contagious– Early symptoms are nausea, vomiting, loss of

appetite, and illness– Subsequent symptoms, severe body fluid loss,

internal hemorrhaging, and diarrhea

Radiation (cont)

Individual Decontamination– Radioactive material can’t be neutralized–it must be

removed from affected surfaces– Avoid breathing dust by covering nose/mouth with dust

mask, handkerchief, or equivalent– Brush dust from clothing and footwear

• Remove and bag clothing (isolate the bag)• Thoroughly wash dust from skin (soap & water)

– Seek medical attention after officials indicate it is safe to leave shelter

– Listen/Watch for instructions from local officials– Do not return to or visit an RDD incident location

Isolation Room (Inside Entrance)

Fallout Shelter (Half-Basement)

Biological Agents

Biological agents include:

– Viruses

– Bacteria/Fungi

– Toxins cultured from living organisms that are developed to produce death or disease in humans, animals, or plants

Biological agents may be found as:

– Liquid droplets

– Aerosols

– Dry powders

Biological Agents (cont)

Routes of Infection:– Skin

• Cuts• Abrasions• Mucous membranes (eye, nose, mouth)

– Gastrointestinal• Food–Potentially significant route of delivery• Water–Capacity to affect large #’s of people

– Respiratory• Inhalation of spores, droplets, and aerosols• Aerosols are an effective delivery method

Biological Protective Actions

Immunizations and Preventative Medications– Keep your immunizations current

Physical Health– Poor physical health reduces your body’s ability to resist and

fight infections– Regular exercise and balanced meals build and maintain your

body’s natural resistance to diseases

Personal Hygiene– Frequently washing with soap and water prevents and

eliminates most areas where biological agents multiply

– Protecting skin cuts and abrasions also denies biological agents additional pathways of entry into your body

Biological Actions (cont)

Food and Water Sanitation– Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating and ensure that

all foods are thoroughly cooked– Additionally, drink only from approved water sources, & only

use ice that’s approved for consumption

Self-Monitoring– Individuals noting and reporting the onset of unusual

symptoms and providing precise information as to the time symptoms began

– This is key to detection and assists medical personnel in administering appropriate treatment

– Assist others in identification of potentially affected individuals

Biological Actions (cont)

What can be done?– Awareness– Individual and collective protection– Consider installing a High Efficiency Particulate Air

(HEPA) filter – Vaccination, prophylaxis, and medical treatment– Detection and characterization– Safe practices

Immunizations and TreatmentDisease Incubation Symptoms Transmission Protection

InhaledAnthrax

2-6 daysRange:2 days-8 weeks

Flu-like symptomsRespiratory distress(Anthrax infection of skin sequence: Initial itching bump on skin, 1-3 cm painless ulcer, dead skin tissue center; fever)

Aerosol inhalationNo person-to-Person transmission

3 of the 6 anthrax shotscould protect; powerfulAntibiotics after infected

Botulism 12-72hoursRange:2 hrs-8days

Difficulty swallowing or speakingWeaknessRespiratory dysfunctionNo sensory dysfunctionNo fever

Aerosol inhalationFood or water ingestionNo person-to-personTransmission

Personal hygiene toprotect; Antitoxinsafter infected

Plague(pneumonicand bubonic)

1-3days byinhalation

Sudden onset of fever, chills,headachePneumonic: cough, chest painBubonic: painful lymph nodes

Inhalation of the organismPerson-to-person transmission inpneumonic forms

Hygiene and gloves, mask; Antibiotics afterExposed

Tularemia“pneumonic”

2-5 daysRange: 1-21 days

Fever, cough, chest tightness,painful and difficult respiration

Inhalation of agentsNo person-to-persontransmission but laboratory personnel at risk

Respiratory protection;Antibiotics longer than7 days after Infected

Smallpox 12-14daysRange:7-17 days

High fever and muscle pain;itching; abdominal pain;deliriumRash on face, extremities,hands, feet; confused withchickenpox which has lessuniform rash

Person-to-persontransmission

Hand wash, immunization to protectRespiratory protection–Treat symptoms after infected Airborneprecautions– Negative pressure Clothingand surface Decontamination

Keeping immunizations current is paramount

Chemical Agents

Chemical agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids, and solids that have toxic effects on people, animals, or plants.

Three general types of chemical hazards:– Nerve– Blister– Toxic Industrial Material (TIM)

What you should do in a chemical attack:– Remain in home or office building; Shelter-in-Place

– Listen to radio for instructions from authorities

Before a Chemical Attack

• Check disaster supplies kit:– Roll of duct tape and scissors

– Plastic for doors, windows, and vents • For room in which you will shelter in place

• To save time, pre-measure & cut plastic sheeting for each opening

– Choose an internal room to shelter; preferably one without windows and on the highest level

Nerve Agents

• May have a fruity smell or camphor odor, others may be odorless

• Most lethal of all agents• Symptoms can be

immediate; lethal within minutes

• Affects nervous system• May be inhaled, ingested, or

absorbed through the skin• Vapor, solid, or liquid• Antidotes may be effective

even if given to a victim having advanced symptoms, as long as victim still breathes

• Pinpointing of pupils and muscular twitching

• Dimness of vision and runny nose

• Tightness of chest and difficulty in breathing

• Excessive sweating, drooling, nausea and vomiting, and involuntary urination and defecation

• Convulsions, coma, death

• Intermittent cumulative exposures to very low amounts can lead to the same ultimate effect as a single exposure to a higher amount

• Practice contamination avoidance and expedient decontamination

• Flush eyes and open wounds with water and protect from further contamination

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible after any exposure or as soon as symptoms appear

Characteristics Symptoms Protection

Blister Agents

• Designed to incapacitate• Also known as mustard agents• May smell like garlic or have a

fishy/musty odor• Liquids, or solids• Destroys tissues, injures blood

vessels, causes blisters• Violently irritate mucous

membranes in eyes/nose• Affects eyes, respiratory tract,

and skin• May be lethal if inhaled,

ingested, or through skin absorption

• Incapacitation may last for days or weeks

• Symptoms may be immediate or take up to four hours to appear

• May cause stinging sensation upon contact

• Blisters any tissue it contacts

• Red, watering eyes• Blurred vision• Light sensitivity• Blindness• Sweaty groin and armpits

are more susceptible to blister agents

• Practice contamination avoidance

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible after any exposure or as soon as symptoms appear

Characteristics Symptoms Protection

Toxic Industrial Material (TIM)

TIM hazards consist of Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TIC), Toxic Industrial Biologicals (TIB), and Toxic Industrial Radiologicals (TIR). Most present a vapor (inhalation) hazard. They may also reduce the oxygen concentration below that required to support life.

Toxic Industrial Material (TIM)

• Agriculture

•

• Industrial

• Production and Research

• Radiological

• Insecticides, Herbicides, Fertilizers

• Chemical and Radiological Materials

• Chemicals and Biological Materials

• Nuclear Fuel, Medical Sources

• Agriculture, Vector Control

• Manufacturing Processes, Cleaning, Water Treatment

• Laboratories, Storage Facilities

• Nuclear Power Plants, Medical Facilities, Industrial Plants, Laboratories

Category Type of Material Primary Uses

The most important action is immediate evacuation outside the hazard’s path (if feasible.) If evacuation is impractical, implement shelter-in-place procedures.

Shelter-In-Place

May be the only short-term practical solution to protect large populations in homes, workcenters, and office complexes following certain hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidents. Shelter-in-place is most effective when occupants pre-plan and practice contingency actions.

Cover as much as possible with plastic or similar tarpaulins

Time is your best ally, you are better off to wait out a chemical spill: Stay indoors

Decon with diluted bleach or with soap and water

Shelter-in-Place Tips

While Outside a Building–an outdoor hazard release may result from an accident during storage, transport, fire, or the result of a malicious act.

• Move away immediately, upwind/crosswind of source• Take cover, even within a temporary structure• Notify others• Don available protective equipment• Report the event• Perform self-aid and buddy care as needed• Seek shelter in nearest building or safest area, as quickly

as possible; remain until otherwise directed

Shelter-in-Place Tips (cont)

While Inside a Building–to a very limited degree, buildings act as natural filters. In some cases, shelter-in-place can offer limited short-term protection against airborne hazards that originate outdoors.

• Turn off HVAC and exhaust fan(s), fans, and combustion heaters

• Close and seal doors and windows with duct tape and plastic sheeting to contain hazard

• Move to a central safe room or area, take your disaster supply kits

• Report the incident to the Fire Department

• Listen to your radio for instructions from authorities

Decontamination Guidelines

Decontamination is needed within minutes of exposure• Blot (do not swab or scrape) with a cloth soaked in soapy water

and rinse with clear water• Remove all clothing & other items in contact w/ body

– Cut off clothing normally removed over head to avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth

– Work from top to bottom

• Put contaminated clothing/items into plastic bag & seal it• Decontaminate hands using soap and water• Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses

– Put glasses in pan of bleach to decontaminate, rinse and dry

– Flush eyes with water

Decontamination Guidelines (cont)

• Gently wash face/hair with soap & water before rinsing

• Decontaminate other body areas

• Change into uncontaminated clothes– Clothing stored in drawers/closets is likely to be uncontaminated

• Proceed to a medical facility

Decontaminate yourself first, then assist others

Use extreme caution when helping others exposed to chemical agents

Do not leave the safety of a shelter to help others until authorities announce it is safe.

How To Clear Your Building (Post Chemical Attack)

Once the "all clear" has been sounded or an hour has passed which ever comes first:

• Take deep breath of stagnant air in shelter and hold it• Untape and open door• Move quickly through building until you reach the outside

leaving ALL doors passing through open• Clear the building at a minimum 20’• Stay up wind of the building for 30 minutes minimum• Find a gas mask with a chemical filter and put it on• If you cannot find one, soak a towel with water and place it

over your mouth and nose to breath through

How To Clear Your Building (Post Chemical Attack) (cont)

• Go around building from outside & open every door you can• If you have access to electric fans or bellows place them at

the entrances in an exhaust position• If not mother nature will have to do her part (much longer)• If wearing gas mask, after opening doors go in & open

windows• If not wearing gas mask, wait min 2 hours before entering

bldg to open windows, with wet towel over mouth & nose• Don't forget to air basement (if any), many chemicals can

stay down there for a very very long time in a lethal dose