Radiological or Nuclear Device A radiological dispersion device (RDD), otherwise known as a “dirty nuke” or “dirty bomb,” combines a conventional explosive device—such as a bomb—with radioactive material. It is designed to scatter dangerous and sub-lethal amounts of radioactive material over a general area. A nuclear device can range from a weapon carried by an intercontinental missile launched by a hostile nation or terrorist organization to a small portable nuclear device transported by an individual. All nuclear devices cause deadly effects when exploded, including blinding light, intense heat (thermal radiation), initial nuclear radiation, blast, fires started by the heat pulse, and secondary fires caused by the destruction.
The three factors for protecting oneself from radiation and fallout are:
CBRNE
Radiation
• Distance - The greater the distance between your sheltering location and the fallout particles outside, the better.
Before a RDD/nuclear event • Make a list of places with basements or the windowless center area of middle floors in high-rise buildings. • Increase your home disaster supplies from three days to two weeks. See pages 51, 67-69.
During a RDD/nuclear event • Take shelter immediately in the nearest undamaged building, preferably underground or in an interior room of a building. • Move upwind and far away from the incident if appropriate shelter is not available. • Turn off ventilation and heating systems, and close or block indoor to outdoor accesses or venting. • Seal windows and external doors with duct tape to reduce infiltration of radioactive particles.
If you are outside during a nuclear event and are unable to get inside immediately:
• Shielding - The heavier and denser the materials (thick walls, concrete, bricks, books, and earth) between you and the fallout particles, the better. • Time - Fallout radiation loses its intensity fairly rapidly.
• Do not look toward an explosion, the flash can cause blindness. • Take cover behind anything that might offer protection. • Lie flat on the ground and protect your head. If the explosion is some distance away, it could take 30 seconds or more for the blast wave to hit. • Take shelter as soon as you can, even if you are many miles from where the attack occurred. Radioactive fallout can be carried by the winds for hundreds of miles. • Remember the three protective factors: distance, shielding, and time.
Decontamination Actions Following a CBRNE Incident
Biological
Radiological/ Nuclear
Flush eyes with water. Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put eyeglasses in a pan of household bleach to decontaminate them, and then rinse and dry.
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Cut off contaminated clothing normally removed over the head.
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Wash face and hair with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.
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Decontaminate other body areas likely to have been contaminated by blotting (do not swab or scrape) with a cloth soaked in soapy water and rinse with clear water.
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Remove and bag your clothes and personal items and follow official instructions for proper disposal.
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Isolate the contaminated clothing away from you and others.
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Seek medical assistance. Proceed to a medical facility for screening and professional treatment.
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You may be advised to stay away from others or even quarantined.
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Chemical
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