Resource Library

Examination of Legal Language Authorizing Responses to Incidents Involving Contamination with Radioactive Material

Summary of CDC/NACCHO partnership in 2012 to examine state and select local legal authorities on decontamination and restriction of movement of individuals contaminated or potentially contaminated with radioactive material.

Radiation Emergency Training for Poison Center Staff

This training will serve as an informational and educational resource about radiation exposure and illness for poison control staff. The ultimate goal of the training is to prepare poison control staff to react appropriately and share vital information in the event of a radiation emergency.

Radiation Hazard Scale

This emergency communication tool provides a frame of reference for relative hazards of radiation, conveying meaning without using radiation measurements or units that are unfamiliar to people. It is for use with protective action recommendations or instructions.

Training: Myths of Radiation: Communicating in Radiation Emergencies

Communication in Radiation Emergencies: Myths of Radiation is a new training that discusses common radiation myths and identifies communications strategies to dispel them.

Community Reception Center (CRC) Drill Toolkit

This new toolkit has been created to help communities, agencies, and emergency planners design and implement a Community Reception Center (CRC) Drill.The CRC Drill toolkit provides guidance and templates that any jurisdiction can adapt to exercise the full range of CRC operations. The drill was developed to be compatible with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP). It also incorporates insights, issues, and lessons learned from real-world events.

Filgrastim (Neupogen®): A Fact Sheet for Clinicians

Some medical treatments are available for limiting or removing internal contamination depending on the type of radioactive material involved. Click here for more information on the treatment Filgrastim (also known as Neupogen®). This link includes information on how this treatment works, when and how it should be administered, and possible side effects.

Training: Radiation Basics Made Simple

A training module that introduces participants to the fundamentals of radiation and radioactivity. This training features an enhanced lecture-style video and interactive knowledge checks to deliver and reinforce key concepts.

Postcard for the General Public - Radiation Emergencies. Get Inside. Stay Inside. Stay Tuned.

A postcard for the general public that can be used to promote the protective message of "Get Inside. Stay Inside. Stay Tuned.", describing what to do in a radiation emergency.

Internal Contamination Clinical Reference (ICCR) Walkthrough

A walkthrough for the ICCR, an application (for Android devices, iPads, and iPhones) estimating reference concentrations of radionuclides in urine assuming intakes equal to one Clinical Decision Guide (CDG) for each radionuclide.

The application can be downloaded here.

Use of Radiation Detection, Measuring, and Imaging Instruments to Assess Internal Contamination from Intakes of Radionuclides

A website detailing how to assess internal contamination from intakes of radionuclides through the use of radiation detection, measuring and imaging instruments.

Medical Response to Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism 

This satellite broadcast originally aired in 2004. It discusses possible scenarios, basic information on radiation and protection for clinicians, decontamination and medical management of radiation casualties.

Note: viewing this video requires Windows Media Player

Improvised Nuclear Device Response and Recovery: Communicating in the Immediate Aftermath 

A resource for emergency responders and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials communicating with the public in the immediate aftermath of an improvised nuclear detonation in the United States. An interagency group of federal communicators and radiation technical experts developed the messages in this document.

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): Radiation Protection

A description of radiation and the NRC's role in developing a system of radiation protection.

National Alliance for Radiation Readiness (NARR) Homepage

NARR is a coalition of public health, healthcare, and emergency management organizations that represent practitioners in the field of radiation readiness. This includes state and local public health practitioners, elected officials at the sate and local level, and first responder and first receiver groups.

Measuring Radiation

A description of how radiation is measured and how to interpret measurements related to radiation dose.

Acute Radiation Syndrome: A Fact Sheet for Physicians

Information for clinicians on Acute Radiation Syndrome, Prenatal Radiation Exposure and Cutaneous Radiation Injury.

Public Health Planning for Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism

This activity offers proactive education on the most up-to-date information on state and local public health emergency response planning for radiological and nuclear terrorism incidents.

Video: Screening People for External Contamination: How to Use Hand-held Radiation Survey Equipment

An 18 minute skills training video that demonstrates how to screen people for external contamination using a hand held Geiger Mueller Detector.

Training: Virtual Community Reception Center (vCRC)

Website describing the Virtual Community Reception Center (vCRC), a training tool allowing users to better understand how community reception centers work and the essential services they provide during a radiation emergency.

RealOpt CRC

RealOpt© CRC is a simulation and optimization program developed by CDC and the Georgia Institute of Technology that allows emergency planners to:

• Design customized and efficient community reception center (CRC) models.
• Assess resources and determine minimum needs to conduct population monitoring in the CRC.
• Determine optimal labor and instrumentation resources for the CRC.
• Determine the most efficient placement of staff throughout the CRC.

Training: Psychological First Aid in Radiation Disasters

An online training focused on defining the unique psychological effects of radiation disasters and how psychological first aid can be used.

Transcript: Just In Time Radiation Training Video for Hospital Clinicians

A transcript of a training video for hospital clinicians about radiation injuries.

Guidelines for Handling Decedents Contaminated with Radioactive Materials

Detonation of a nuclear weapon or activation of a radiological dispersal device could cause radioactively contaminated decedents. These guidelines suggest ways for medical examiners, coroners, and morticians to deal with loose surface contamination, internal contamination, or shrapnel on or in decedents' bodies.

Radiological Terrorism: Medical Response to Mass Casualties

The purpose of this interactive self-study training is to provide clinician education on local medical response to mass casualties during the immediate aftermath of a radiological or nuclear terrorism incident.

Radiological/Nuclear Law Enforcement and Public Health Investigation Handbook - September, 2011

This handbook serves to introduce RN LE and PH investigations , identify potential barriers and solutions that LE and PH personnel will encounter during their investigations and enhance appreciation across each discipline.

Public Health Planning DVD Transcripts

A transcript of the CDC's public health planning DVD.

Messaging and B-Roll on Nuclear Weapons and Dirty Bombs

Details how to best communicate in the first hours of a potential radiation emergency, specifically involving nuclear weapons or dirty bombs.

Video: Radiation Emergencies Public Health Roundtable: The Role of Poison Centers

A recording of a roundtable discussion group session, bringing together poison control professionals across the country for discussion about current and future roles poison centers have in radiation emergency preparedness and response.

Flowchart: Instructions for Shipping Urine Specimens to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) After a Radiological/Nuclear Exposure Event

A flowchart detailing how to ship urine specimens to the CDC after a radiological/nuclear emergency.

Radiological/Nuclear Terrorism Urine Specimen Collection and Shipping Manifest

A form for specimen collection and shipping to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after a radiological/nuclear emergency.

Emergency Risk Communication (ERC) CDCynergy

A website looking at what emergency risk communication can take place before, during, and after a radiation emergency.

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual

The Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols (MARLAP) manual provides guidance for the planning, implementation, and assessment of projects that require the laboratory analysis of radionuclides. MARLAP’s basic goal is to provide guidance for project planners, managers, and laboratory personnel to ensure that radioanalytical laboratory data will meet a project’s or program’s data requirements.

The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act: Planning for and Response to Bioterrorism and Naturally Occurring Infectious Diseases

A model act drafted by Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities at the request of CDC.

U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): The Emergency Response Guidebook

PHMSA's 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook provides first responders with a go-to manual to help deal with hazardous material accidents during the critical first 30 minutes. DOT's goal is to place an ERG in every emergency service vehicle nationwide.

Radioisotope Brief: Americium-241 (Am-241)

A site with information on the radioactive isotope Americium-241.

Radioisotope Brief: Cobalt-60 (Co-60)

A site with information on the radioactive isotope Cobalt-60.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Iodine-131 Found in Milk

A site with information on the radioactive isotope Iodine-131 and what to do if it is found in milk.

Radioisotope Brief: Iridium-192 (Ir-192)

A site with information on the radioactive isotope Iridium-192.

Radioisotope Brief: Uranium

A site with information on the radioactive isotope Uranium.

Infographic: Radiation Contamination Versus Exposure

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An infographic detailing the differences between radioactive contamination and exposure.

More information can be found at Contamination Vs. Exposure.

Infographic: How Potassium Iodide (KI) Works

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An infographic detailing what potassium iodide (KI) is, how it works and when you should or should not take it.

More information can be found at Countermeasures: Potassium Iodide.

Infographic: Where to go in a Radiation Emergency

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An infographic detailing where to go in a radiation emergency.

More information can be found at Get Inside and Stay Tuned to Learn How to Evacuate.

Infographic: Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD)

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An infographic detailing what a radiological dispersal device (RDD) or "dirty bomb" is and how you can protect yourself.

More information can be found at More Types: Radiological Dispersal Device

Infographic: Nuclear Power Plant Incident

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An infographic detailing the main dangers of a nuclear power plant incident and how you can protect yourself.

More information can be found at More Types: Nuclear Power Plant Incident.

Infographic: Workplace Radiation Incidents 

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An infographic detailing possible radiation exposures at certain workplaces, possible health effects from those exposures, and how to protect yourself if you are exposed to radiation in the workplace.

More information can be found at More Types: Workplace Radiation Incidents.

Formative Research: IND Health Effects Message Testing with the General Public, January 2012

From January 2012: Audience research looking at how to improve messaging during a potential radiological emergency involving an improvised nuclear device (IND).

Media Message Testing: Detonation of Improvised Nuclear Device, March 2011

From March 2011: Audience research looking at testing the effectiveness of key messages in the form of a series of video clips developed by the Nuclear Detonation Response Communications Working Group for the immediate aftermath of an IND detonation.

Radiological Emergency Preparedness Communications: Message Testing with Cognitive Interviews - Survey Research

From July 2009: Message testing using cognitive interviews to focus on improving public-facing messages about protective actions and responses to radiological emergencies.

Roundtable on Partnering with Meteorologists for Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response -- Summary

From August 2004: Roundtable discussion focused on potential partnerships with meteorologists in preparing and responding to potential radiological emergencies.

Roundtable on the Identification of Emerging Strategies for Hospital Management of Mass Casualties from a Radiological Incident -Summary

From May 2002: A report detailing a meeting bringing together public health, medical and other scientific experts to discuss practical strategies that hospitals can use in preparation for mass casualties from a radiological incident.

Report on the CDC Conference of Radiation Control Directors (CRCPD) Roundtable on Communication and Teamwork: Keys to Successful Radiological Response

From December 2008: This report details this roundtable’s proceedings and conclusions, and provides materials utilized during the roundtable, as well as comments/suggestions and a list of attendees. The document was developed by a working group within CRCPD.

Japan Incident - CDC Recommendations for Public Health Follow-Up of Travelers

From 2011: A description of follow-up with travelers identified as contaminated with radioactive mateiral by customs and border protection at US ports of entry.

Japan -- CDC Revised Recommendation to Radiation Control Health Physics Staff

From 2011: A revised group of recommendations for follow-up assessment of contaminated travelers by radiation control health physics staff.

NCEH/NPHIC Research Project Executive Summary

From 2009: This summary provides results from audience research conducted to test radiation emergency messages with over 2700 public health workers from six states to determine clarity, understanding and believability of the messages and assess their knowledge of radiation emergency concepts and terms. The messages were developed by CDC and the research protocol was designed by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC).

  Training: Medical Countermeasures for Radiation Exposure and Contamination

Medical Countermeasures for Radiation Exposure and Contamination is a training module that aids in better understanding what medical countermeasures (treatments) are available for radiation exposure and contamination, how they work, and how and when they should be used.

A Guide to Operating Public Shelters in a Radiation Emergency – February 2015

A Guide to Operating Public Shelters in a Radiation Emergency (February 2015) has been developed to assist with planning and response efforts related to shelter operations in a radiation emergency. This guide is the result of a multiagency collaboration exploring the unique challenges radiation emergencies pose for shelter operations.

Report on the NACCHO/CDC Workshop on Operating Public Shelters during a Radiation Emergency

The Workshop on Operating Public Shelters during a Radiation Emergency was convened on Feb. 3–4, 2010 in Atlanta, GA to gather input from federal and state agencies including state departments of health, local health departments (LHDs), and non‐governmental organization (NGO) partners about the resources and processes needed to provide the public with acceptable shelter during a radiation emergency.

Educational Videos -- Protective Actions, Pharmaceutical Countermeasures, and Health Effects

These videos describe what protective actions you can take in a radiation emergency, the possible health effects of radiation exposure and contamination, and medical treatments that may be available to you.